I agree.  The larger issue is contextualizing history, and our roles as
museum professionals in doing so.  When we present history as laden with
value judgments, and do not point out that they ARE value judgments, we are
not doing our jobs properly.  I think it is a responsible practice to
provide both historical context and a contemporary viewpoint, from both
within and without the culture under discussion, when we present anything
other than just objects combined with facts.  We need to encourage
interpretation by individual visitors rather than spending our time
carefully providing people with what we think their opinions ought to be.

Then again, I rarely present anything historical and/or outside of American
culture, so what do I know?

Julia Muney Moore
Director of Exhibitions and Artist Services
Indianapolis Art Center
820 E. 67th St.
Indianapolis, IN  46220
(317) 255-2464 x233
FAX (317) 254-0486
email <[log in to unmask]>


-----Original Message-----
From: Jay Heuman [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, May 16, 2002 4:21 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Suggestion Regarding Binding and Corsetry


If you prefer greater relevance to issues today, we could
shift gears to discuss how historical information presented
from a biased point of view is considered "historical
revisionism" . . . such as over-emphasis on the 'greatness'
of Western civilization, and the supposed inferiority of
non-Western cultures who would dare to conduct cultural
affairs (foot binding, female genital mutilation, etc.)
according to non-Western standards.

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