Visceral response?
Is there any proof anywhere that a lazer pointer does any damage at all?  The light is present for a very short time much like flash photography.  I have seen no evidence presented that flash photography or a lazer pointer results in any damage.  Museums that do not allow flash photography will hang a painting near a window in direct sunlight thinking nothing of the damage done. Yet, over time that direct sunlight will destroy the painting.   I have seen the results.  The painted hieroglyphs on the monuments of Egypt fade in the sun, but remain beautifuly colored on the underside of a lintel, in a tomb, or otherwise protected from the sunlight.
Show me the proof, not a gut feeling.

Ron Fellows

Joel Ayala wrote:

I second (third) your visceral response -- light bad, dark good.

Also, at our museum, we focus on events dating back as far as the "War of
Northern Aggression."  We ask kids of all ages to imagine traveling back in
time to the days when this area was just U.S. Territory.  In some spaces,
we display material culture from a century ago.  If I were on a tour of
this historic site and someone whipped-out a friggin light saber, I think
I'd be a tad distracted.  The anachronism is a striking here, no?

Joel Ayala, Jr./Curatorial Assistant
AZ State Library, Archives & Public Records/Museum Division
1700 West Washington Street
Phoenix AZ 85007
Phone: 602.542.4405
Fax:  602.542.4690
E-mail:  [log in to unmask]

At 04:12 PM 04/20/2000 -0400, you wrote:
>I agree with your gut reaction.  It is not a good idea, for the reason you
>mention.
>Ross Weeks Jr.
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Cathy Westfeldt <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Thursday, April 20, 2000 3:54 PM
>Subject: Use of Laser Pointers
>
>
> > Dear Listerservers:
> > I had an interesting question come my way today - one for which I don't
> > have an answer. The Capitol Building here in Salem gives a great many
> > tours which includes showing all their wonderful murals. They want to
> > start having their tour guides use laser pointers on the murals during
> > the tours. My first reaction is this is not a good idea. Light damage is
> > cumulative. Anybody out there have experience with this type of
> > situation? Thanks.
> >
> > Cathy Westfeldt, CRM
> > Collection Curator
> > Hallie Ford Museum of Art
> > Willamette University
> > 900 State St.
> > Salem, OR 97301
> > (503)370-6867
> > [log in to unmask]
> >
>
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