I once worked in a university museum that had a Homer watercolor that
was determined to be of such superior educational value that keeping it
locked up and viewable only upon request would be a huge blow to the
mission of the museum.  They essentially reorganized a gallery in order
to place the Homer into complete darkness, except for a reverse-dimmer,
low-lux light triggered by a motion sensor.  I think it was a good
compromise between access and preservation, especially for the time
(mid-1980s). They've since renovated the entire museum:  I haven't been
back to see it, and they may have an even better solution.  I've seen
watercolors stored flat in climate-controlled, glassed-over drawers
right in the galleries:  the artwork in the drawer is in the dark, and
when the visitor pulls open the drawer a low-level light comes on for a
specified period of time so the painting can be viewed.  The drawer has
a super-smooth action, a back-stop on the drawer and no vibrations when
rolled out.  Sorry, I can't recall right now where I saw it.  I think
there can be a balance if one is willing and financially able to explore
technology to its fullest.

Julia Muney Moore
Public Art Administrator
Blackburn Architects, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 875-5500 x230
 

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