Jay, Maybe it wouldn't be elitist if people knew there wasn't any certain thing to get, that whatever their reaction was, was "right", that it was ok to think "I don't understand this, but it makes me feel (fill in the blank)". The one thing art should not do is make people feel stupid. My whole argument is that you don't need any interpretation etc. to have a reaction, an experience. But obviously people feel it is necessary to "know what the artist was thinking" to be able to experience art. Why don't they believe in their own reaction? Where did this idea come from? Janelle -----Original Message----- From: Jay Heuman [mailto:[log in to unmask]] Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 4:34 PM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Article on labels in art museums [faked-from] Janelle, I think the scenario at the Hirschhorn would raise questions in the minds of art curators, education curators, art museum professionals, etc. But based on my observation of museum visitors - not as systematic as others, and definitely not as many years - the uninformed visitor who sees an art object without a label or wall signage just keeps on walking. Those with whom I've spoken - having worked in museum visitor services - expressed frustration due to a lack of information about contemporary art. So, as I and others have written, if an art museum wants to avoid an 'elitist' environment, they ought to put informative labels and signage. Some visitors do not have keen visual perception, but want to learn. So, explanatory text might be the only way to reach some people. It's better for such visitors to learn something than be put off by the lack of instruction. [I believe you and I are thinking of the same 'contexts' in which artworks might be presented . . . historical timelines, history and/or technique specific to the medium, history and/or meaning of the identifiable subject, etc.] Sincerely, Jay Heuman Assistant Curator of Education Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art Utah State University (Logan) t 435-797-0165 f 435-797-3423 e [log in to unmask] www.artmuseum.usu.edu Education costs money, but then so does ignorance. Sir Claus Moser (b. 1922) >Jay, >I agree that art museums "should have further resources (labels and signage) >easily accessible to those who want more". Even so, many art museums >present works in contexts other than historical (media, subject matter, >etc.). I don't believe that they are being irresponsible. >I think that allowing a museum visitor to experience art in a different way >is a positive thing. I think that the Hirshorn's exhibit could be an >exciting experience for any visitor. If nothing else, it would raise a >number of questions in the viewer's mind and possibly would lead to a more >personal museum/art experience. >Janelle ========================================================= 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). ========================================================= 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).