The Albuquerque airport, or International Sunport as it is officially
called, displays a permanent collection of paintings by New Mexican artists.
When working in New Mexico, I recall many complaints from the statwide
museum community about the improper care and handling of those works of art,
largely because the people who dealt with the paintings (including moving
them without authorization and storing them in poor conditions) were
notqualified curators or preparators but airport employees.

MUseums that consider displaying art in public areas should probably weigh
the value of outreach/exposure against the possibility that their
collections, because they are essentially on loan to an institution other
than a museum, are subject to damage by unknowing and unqualified
individuals.  At the very least, arrangements should be made to ensure that
the venue's employees are made aware of all the facets of handling and
storing museum collections.  It seems inconceivable, but many people without
a museum background think that touching a canvas can''t possibly hurt.

Nicholas P. Ciotola
Curator, Italian American Collection
Senator John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center



-----Original Message-----
From: Ellen B. Cutler [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Tuesday, September 19, 2000 11:40 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Internships


A number of museums have taken advantages of public/commercial areas like
malls.  The Newport Harbort Museum (CA)  (which I think has a new name now)
has had a satellite space in the Orange County mall for more than ten years.

Try asking the Currier Gallery in Manchester NH.  In 1995 when they
renovated their building, they created a space in the local mall.  It was
fairly interesting and engaged the support of volunteers old and new.

Ellen Cutler

----- Original Message -----
From: Haifa Museum Registration <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, September 18, 2000 6:35 AM
Subject: Re: Internships


> I have a question concerning public showing of works of art.
> We were asked by a local mall to exhibit a number of paintings in the
mall.
> Does anyone have any experience with exhibiting works of art in public
> spaces?
> I would appreciate any info, or horror stories.
> Thanks,
> Ron Hillel - Registrar
> The Haifa Museums
> [log in to unmask]
>
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