Thanks to Gary Noonan for raising the question of "balance" in the
Smithsonian's exhibit that will deal, in part, with the history of the
Enola Gay (no one else has seen it yet, either; it hasn't opened). One
problem may be the impossible task of achieving editorial balance in a
public exhibition on a topic of even modest controversy. Since the
definitions of appropriate balance will be virtually numberless, I myself
argue for the freedom--and the courage--of the curator to present an
intelligent, informed, and hopefully challenging viewpoint on a topic. In
this model, the curatorial process is one step in what is closer to a
public debate. And it need not be one-sided: there are options for the
public to respond, disagree, challenge--i.e., strike its own balance.
 
John Strand
Editor/Publisher
Museum News
American Association of Museums
202-289-9124