>I am posting this question for an undergraduate student here at Babson
>College.  Perhaps those of you involved with the design and installation
>of art exhibitions could recommend applicable literature or provide your
>own input.  I am not absolutely certain what the student is asking so I
>hope that I am phrasing her question accurately.  I believe that what she
>is after is the history and philosophy of art installations in both
>museums and domestic settings.
>
>The student is studying the business of interior design and has been
>thinking in terms of commissioning and/or selecting art to meet the
>dictates of a pre-existing space.  The questions she has asked me to
>pose the professionals deal with the reverse; conforming the space to
>the art.  "Basically I would like to know what criteria a curator might
>use when designing or setting up an exhibit.  Does one criteria have
>precedence over another, for example is color more important than
>scale.  Is there a logical process that has been 'established' or do
>they (curators) go with what seems right for the pieces in particular."
>
>Any references for the theory behind art installation and exhibit
>design would be appreciated.  I think she might also be interested in
>the concepts behind site-specific pieces.  Please send your replies to
>me directly.  Thank you in advance for your assistance.
>
>Andrew Martinez
>Assistant Archivist & Exhibit Coordinator
>Babson College
>[log in to unmask]

Mr. Martinez,

Your student may find  Michael Belcher's book "Exhibitions in Museums"
helpful. It covers most of the issues state above.  It is published by
Leicester University Press. I think a copy of it could  be found through
the Smithsonian Institution Press. The ISBN mumber is 0 8747913 1