I quite agree. Once again, thank you David Haberstich. L.W.S. Petznick ------Original Message------ From: "David E. Haberstich" <[log in to unmask]> To: [log in to unmask] Sent: December 21, 2000 4:37:56 AM GMT Subject: Re: Coke at the Library of Congress In a message dated 00-12-20 12:35:13 EST, Chris Dill writes: << I'll risk the flames and ask if a responsible institution should then = refuse to acknowledge NEH or other non-"corporate"sponsors by posting = their logos. The result of the suggestion if taken at face value would be = that museums wouldn't get corporate sponsors because they'd refuse to = acknowledge the funding source. Surely David's position isn't THAT black = and white? How about non-profit corporations which supports the arts and = humanities, or civic improvements, etc? >> OK, let's go over this one more time. Frankly, I don't know how it's possible to have misinterpreted or misunderstood my message so thoroughly. Please read it again, Chris. I VERY clearly (I thought) stated "give credit where credit is due, but no more". Apparently I should have said "give credit to ALL...", as in each and every one. ALL donors to an exhibition (including donors who foot the bills as well as donors of individual objects) should be acknowledged, IMHO. I said corporate donors should be acknowledged in normal typefaces without resorting to logos. I said logos connote advertising and should be avoided (meaning I think it would be more tasteful to avoid using the logos; the phrase "should be" represents my personal opinion). To further clarify that, let me reverse it and ask, why is it necessary to utilize logos, when just spelling out the company's name in a standard sentence within a credit label should suffice? If Coca-Cola sponsors your exhibition and you issue a press release about the exhibition, would you use the Coke logo everywhere instead of just writing "Coca-Cola"? Should I write this message by pasting in the Coke logo instead of typing "Coca-Cola"? No? Then why is it necessary to put the Coke logo in an exhibit credit label? The logo is their commercial symbol, used to stimulate sales through brand recognition, and I think it has no place in a credit line because the commercial message is too blatant. Also, I don't like the idea of making a distinction between donors who have eye-catching visual symbols and those who don't. I prefer a level playing field. If we're going to allow or encourage corporate donors to be represented by their advertising logos, maybe we should also encourage private donors to devise their own logos or symbols. Maybe we should tell Mr. Donor Gotrocks to resurrect his family coat of arms (or, if he doesn't have one, perhaps the museum could design one for him). Maybe everyone should have a logo so it can be displayed in any exhibit anyone underwrites. Jeez. Of COURSE NEH and other non-profit funding sources, foundations, etc., should be acknowledged. They too fit under my definition of "all". If NEH or NEA (or NASA, for that matter) have logos, no, I wouldn't use them. I'd just spell out "National Endowment for the Humanities", etc. However, please note that NEH isn't trying to sell a product, as Coca-Cola is. I don't think anyone would look at an NEH logo in an exhibit and think, "Hey, they must be good guys to fund this wonderful exhibit. Let's buy a couple of cases of their product." NEH should be acknowledged because its funds are public and taxpayers have a right to know where their money is going. I hope these nuances are not too subtle. 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). ----------------------------------------------- FREE! The World's Best Email Address @email.com Reserve your name now at http://www.email.com ========================================================= 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).