In a message dated 00-04-21 16:24:09 EDT, I read (sorry, I can't see the author's name as I respond): << In my opinion, however, the "blockbuster" label, I think, really derives from the material itself-the fame & quality/merit of the subject (Vermeer), its notoriety (King Tut) or relative popularity (Monet and more Monet) or provenance (Treasures from the Hermitage) or extravegance (Fabrege), or the magnitude of the undertaking combined with grand results (Treasures from Dresden; Rome in the 18th Century). On the other hand and as with movie hype, the label may simply reflect the hopes/expectations of the organizers &/or the aspirations their pr firm & the ticketing agency! >> In my cynical old age, I've just about concluded that the only essential quality of a blockbuster is precisely the hype. Naturally, you need high-quality, significant objects and enough evidence of effort to ensure that some critic won't come along and pronounce it a fraud, but beyond that, the marketing and advertising and advance indications that it's going to be a blockbuster (tickets required, suggesting that you're going to have to stand in line, so you'd better get there ASAP) seem to be the keys. I've seen lots of fine museum exhibitions which probably could have been blockbusters if they had been advertised as such. Conversely, I've seen blockbusters which I enjoyed--but couldn't quite figure out why there were so many other people in line with me! For example, it was great to see the Victoria & Albert exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art a few years ago, but I really couldn't see any special reason that it was a blockbuster--other than the way it was advertised and the special ticket requirement. Don't get me wrong--I love the V & A, it's a wonderful museum, and I've been there several times and will return every time I can--but it was obvious to me, listening to the conversations of other viewers, that many had never heard of the V & A previously and came only because of the advertising. Obviously, this is merely my personal observation with no substantiating figures, but there's no question in my mind that it's at least partially true. I suppose there is also the possibility that many people go to blockbuster exhibits because they really like standing in long lines! It would be interesting to poll such people and see how many also file their income taxes at the last minute. Humans have a need for a sense of community, don'tcha know. David Haberstich ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).