On Feb 22, 1996 22:02:35, 'David Harvey <[log in to unmask]>' wrote: >We need to gently educate both our staffs and visitors as to object awareness >and respect and we need to convey very clear & concise information as to the >nature of our exhibitions - be they reproduction or original Interesting in this regard is Tony Bennett's (not the singer) book Birth of the Museum. It documents how the institution of the museum in the 19th century was part of an effort to inculcate an emerging middle class with the values of the dominant culture. The process by which this was achieved included establishing environments (museums, especially) that architecturally and socially would promote certain forms of behavior over others. The author sees these lessons as the state's way of asserting its power and authority over the masses. How do the contributors to museum-l view the function of establishing normative modes of decorum in their museums? -- Robert A. Baron Museum Computer Consultant P.O. Box 93, Larchmont N.Y. 10538 [log in to unmask]