Intro to Museum Studies Exam 1
Use your own words to explain the "what"-part of interpretation. Name the three characteristics of museum interpretation.
content the what question: what story out of the many stories of an object are you going to tell? 1. a matter of institutional choice 2. subject to change 3. a planned process
Name and describe the factors that inform the decisions on the use of color in museum exhibition design.
exhibition color design decisions depend on 1. objects' colors: color commonalities suggest the color scheme of the exhibition 2. symbolism: cultural meaning of colors (blue for water-related themes; green- nature related topics, etc) 3. the mood to be achieved in the exhibition environment
Name and describe the factors that inform the decisions on the use of lighting in museum exhibition design.
exhibition lighting solutions take into account 1. behavioral psychology (eliciting "moods" in visitors) 2. functional needs of the space (optimal level for reading, influx of natural light, etc.) 3. conservation needs of objects lighting equipment 1. fluorescent tubes- even, white light 2. tungsten and low-voltage spotlights- "pools" and beams of light 3. variations: focusing and framing devices, bulbs of different colors and wattage, adjustable lights, etc
Explain the format of a given accession number.
format: (control number).(accession number).(object number) control number: accession year, collection abbreviation + accession year accession number: the serial number of a specific accession in a certain year object number: some accessions include more objects; in that case, the object number is the serial number of an object in that particular accession
In his article "From Being about Something to Being for Somebody," Stephen Weil explores the historical development of the American museum during the last 50-60 years. Summarize this transformation and describe at least one factor that generated it.
from salvage and warehouse businesses focused on objects to organizations focused on people and education shift took place after WW2 the transition involved a shift from selling mode to marketing mode causes: proliferation of museums and decline in federal support; financial needs determined museums to focus on attracting private funds; as a result the public's needs and interests became just as important as object collecting and care professionalization of museums: new occupations (conservators, registrars, collections managers) and professional associations (AAM); as more museums joined AAM and the organization improved its structure, museum educators gained influence and started pushing for education standards
Identify and explain three reasons why numerous museums in the late-19th century were considered "elitist."
architecture: Beaux Arts (Neo-Classical) style- Greek, Roman, Baroque and Renaissance elements location most collections and exhibitions: fine arts
What is the rationale for preventive conservation for the perspective of remedial conservation?
"rather than focusing on individual objects, museums pay attention to the overall care of collections; if that is done properly, the need for conservation intervention would be obviated [eliminated] in many if not most cases"
Explain (1) the challenges of label writing; (2) the ways to overcome such challenges.
(1) readers are standing, have limited attention span, might not be interested in reading (2) short length, accessible language, exciting creative content
Why is the combination of temperature and humidity crucial to the preventive care of objects? What are the recommended standards and how are they achieved?
- high temperature air holds more water vapors - lower temperature air holds less vapors - if temperature drops moisture condenses on non-porous objects or gets absorbed by porous materials - if temperature increases air picks up moisture from objects both air humidity and air dryness damage objects ideal temperature: 68-72F ideal relative humidity: 55% or 45-60% - less than 45%- static electricity builds up; organic materials dry out - more than 65%- mold -daily or seasonal fluctuations must be avoided equipment for measuring humidity and temperature: thermo hygrometers: indicators, recorders equipment for humidity and temperature control: air conditioning systems, dehumidifiers/humidifiers
Describe the conservation phase in the process of planning an exhibit.
-the conservator- leading role: prepares the condition report, recommends: remedial conservation, care and use in the exhibition -oversees the design of exhibition object mounts: structures meant to ensure optimal visibility of the artifacts on display - must avoid concentration of physical stress on any one area
Refer to the classification of museums based on the exhibit type and describe the nature of at least three categories.
1. by content (nature of collections): aquarium, anthropology, arboretum/botanic garden, art, children's cultural specific, hall of fame, historic house, historic site, history, historical society, military/battlefield, nature center, natural history, planetarium, presidential library, science/technology centers, specialized, visitor center, zoo 2. By the geographical area they serve: national museums, regional museums, local museums, city museums 3. By the nature of funding: federal/government museums, municipal museums, university museums, military museums, commercial company museums, private museums 4. by exhibit type: traditional (indoor) museums, living history (open air) museums, historic houses, children's museums, virtual museums
How do museums organize their collections? Name and explain two possibilities.
1. by discipline (art, science, history, etc.) specific to multi-disciplinary museums follows academic approaches to the subject exhibitions tend to stay within the limits of one discipline 2. by subject (advertising, clothing, food, religion, etc.; European art, Asian art, etc.; mammals, birds, etc.) specific to large museums that specialize in one discipline items in a collection are diverse in type and nature subjects reflect curators' interests or continue established collecting traditions at the museum 3. By material category (wood, glass, textiles, etc.) specific to museums whose collections can be neatly differentiated based on objects' material simplifies preventive conservation and collections management
Name and explain three factors that affect exhibition planning.
1. collections: the nature and quality of the material, if collections are sparse, loans and acquisitions are needed, the importance the museum gives to that material 2. space and time: space availability- dilemma: how to ensure novelty and attract visitors?, timing and schedule of exhibitions- dilemma: how to sustain visitor attendance?, safety of artifacts, the physical durability of the display 3. museum marketing and visitors: needs and preferences of the visitors or potential visitors, surveys: who visitors the museum and why, visitors- a heterogeneous group with numerous variations, dilemma: can an exhibition respond to all visitors' needs? 4. views of the funders: board members and/or national, regional, local funding bodies need to approve a museum's exhibition plan, commercial sponsorship, preference for exhibition topics popular with the public, possibility of excessive influence, censorship and limitations on the freedom of the museum, areas of disagreement between museums and sponsors- must be clarified before the planning begins 5. finance and staff: adequate financing of the exhibition project, success depends of available resources (staff, materials, equipment, insurance, transportation) and their deployment, dilemma: decide what exhibition aspect deserves more funds- guest curator, acquisitions, design, marketing
Identify and explain the five museum acquisition methods in use today.
1. gifts (donors approach the museum or vice versa) 2. purchases (at auctions, from collectors, dealers, etc.) 3. exchange or transfer between museums (inter-institutional transactions) 4. bequest (objects enter the museum coll. after the death of the donor) 5. collection in the field (museum staff looks for objects in this original setting)
ID questions: Charles Wilson Peale
1741-1827 army officer painter naturalist - collector of zoological, botanical and archeological specimens 1786- Philadelphia- Peale Museum
Identify two early preservation projects in the US and explain the historical context in which they were initiated.
1773- Charleston Library Society samples of animals, plants, and minerals from the South Carolina Low Country 1786- Philadelphia - Peale Museum collection of stuffed birds, display of North American mastodon (mammoth) bones, scientific classification methods for artifacts
What is the significance of John D. Rockefeller's and Henry Ford's museum projects in the history of museums in the U.S.?
1920s - 1930s: emergence of interest in American history and art 1926- Colonial Williamsburg - John Rockefeller Jr. outdoor/living history museum - a new museum concept first large-scale themed historic attraction focus on colonial elites 1929- Greenfield Village - Dearborn, Michigan - Henry Ford focus on agricultural, domestic and industrial buildings
Name and explain two advantages and two disadvantages of the museum exhibition as a medium of communication.
Advantages: 1. facilitates a direct encounter between visitors and 3-D objects -shows objects at full scale -allows for close and all-round viewing of objects 2. encourages the use of more human senses at once -more effective way to impart information -allows the use of additional interpretive materials (hands on displays, video, audio, etc) in addition to collection objects, to enhance the museum experience Disadvantages: 1. high production cost 2. require coordination of time and space at the museum 3. outside-home location 4. reliance on other forms of media for attracting visitors 5. physical effects on visitors -visitor fatigue -exhibition design influenced by the physical limitations of humans -curators should be aware that visitors might not respond as planned
ID questions: The British Museum
King George II 1753 - The British Museum encouraged donations of private libraries and collections by nobles donated his own library and the right to a copy of every book published in the country
Explain (1) the context in which NAGPRA was adopted and (2) how NAGPRA works
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) human remains, funerary objects, sacred objects have always been in museum collections, 1970s-1980s- Native Americans began claiming their objects- some museums resisted
Give one example of an ethical dilemma in museum conservation or deaccessioning. To explain the dilemma, use any case study we discussed in class. Briefly summarize the case, explain the challenge and what you would do to ensure an ethical resolution to it.
Selling the "family jewels" - PDQ Museum of Art- large collection of art deco, posters, jewelers, decorative arts -the wife of a board member donated 50 objects in great shape, some one-of-a-kind - while they are accessioned, the curator conducts as assessment of the collections and learns that some items already in the collection are very similar to the ones donated but not the same quality (some look like copies of lesser value and proposes deaccessioning) - the board approves the deaccessioning and sale at a local art dealer - a volunteer from the registration department approaches the curator and inquires about buying them
As a veteran collections manager, what suggestions would you make to a less-experienced colleague who asked for your opinion on (1) what good storage ensures (2) the features of good storage equipment and (3) the main characteristic of good storage materials.
good storage: an effective technique for preserving the collection, the legal responsibility of museums ensures: physical accessibility of objects and enough space with separation and support for all objects, effective security, fire, and water protection, proper environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, light, air quality) features: made from materials that are durable, non-combustible, and don't emit substances harmful to the stored objects museum storage must be properly labeled for each identification of objects' location characteristics of good storage materials: special chemical composition that minimizes chemical reactions with objects, acid free, zipper bag seals, muslin bags, small artifacts-stored in archival boxes and cabinets, liners to protect objects from coming into contact with metal drawers or shelves, carved polyethylene foam
Define museum registration and explain its two goals.
informally known as record keeping/paper trail the system that creates documentation for each transaction/activity that involves museum objects (object acquisition, accession, deaccession, disposal, cataloging, loans management, object packing and logistics for incoming and outgoing loans, object insurance) establishes the measures meant to ensure the production of this documentation (procedures to be followed by staff)
Define the collections management policy, identify the three main parts of it, and explain how it helps the systematic approach of museum collecting.
institutional plan that (1) governs all aspects of collections development, care, and use and (2) establishes guidelines and professional standards for museum staff in charge of making collections-related decisions (1) collections development (2) collections care (3) collections use consistency with the museum's mission statement relevance to collections available storage, protection and preservation physical condition of items does not threaten any other collections and people items have a clear chain of provenance (all previous owners are known and can be documented)
What are the differences between preventive and remedial conservation?
preventive care (preservation or stabilization)- controlling the factors that might damage an object by spoiling its appearance and reducing its life span - the environment (temperature humidity, light, etc.) in storage areas and exhibits - the storage of objects (cabinets, shelves, display cases, etc.) - the handling of objects (moving, packing, etc.) collections managers' responsibility remedial care (restoration or consolidation)- bringing the object as close as possible to its original appearance - uses reversible treatment methods and materials
Define cataloging, describe its purpose, and list the three basic types of cataloging information covered by all cataloging systems (include an example of each).
recording all available info on each object's pre-museum and museum life in the object's record (usually done electronically in the museum's database) 1. physical information (materials, colors, shape, dimension, inscriptions, etc.) 2. Provenance (provenience) information (maker, date made, place made, prior owners other than the donor, etc.)- "pre-museum life" of the object 3. Registration information (accession number, donor info location in the museum, condition, appraisal, etc.) - "museum life"
Identify and explain three criteria for museum collections development. Feel free to use an example (x museum would not acquire object y) to illustrate your explanation.
scope of collections (in accordance with the museum's mission statement) acquisition criteria how collections are organized ethical standards acquisition and disposal methods
Why and how do museums perform inventories?
security- deter and detect theft review- if objects are properly stored, object condition, if location info in the object record is reliable collections managers, registrars, curators, volunteers, and interns
Why is lighting crucial to the preventive care of objects? What are the recommended standards and how are they achieved?
sunlight, incandescent, fluorescent damage from concentrate heat, duration of exposure (damage from light is cumulative - long exposure to low intensity has the same damaging effect as short exposure to high intensity), ultraviolet rays (combined with heat and humidity oxidizes materials) materials sensitive to light: cellulose (wood, paper and some textiles), organic materials (leather, silk, wool, bone, ivory), paint pigments and coatings (all colors are likely to fade under continued exposure to light) in museums: recommended max. exposure to light is 50-200 lux equipment for measuring light: light meters equipment for light control: window protection (special glass, film shades or sheets, shutters, draperies or blinds), low UV fluorescent tubes or protective sleeves for fluorescent tubes
What are the three characteristics of non-profit museums?
surplus funds - not distributed to shareholders/owners but used to advance the organization's goals exists for the public good non-profit museums are 501 (c) organizations...exempted from some federal income taxes...museum donations - tax deductible
As the director of a local museum with a limited budget and small staff, what aspects would you consider when choosing between organizing a temporary exhibit and hosting a traveling exhibit?
temporary: -on display for a limited time -anniversaries of important people, notable events (discoveries, battles, disasters) or local happenings (founding of a town, school, or church) -allow museums to react to current events -dictated by space availability, timing (the museum's exhibition schedule, specific dates), budget, etc.; maximize museums' time and space resources -encourage innovation without placing too much at risk -experiments with new design, interpretation -searched mostly by one time visitors traveling: -planned by one or more museums and meant to circulate from one location to another +the exhibition can be seen by a larger number of people at different locations +shared costs of production +lower production costs for catalogs, publicity materials, and souvenirs +opportunity to promote the museum that originates the material as well as the hosting museums -safety of objects -complaints of visitors and researchers for objects being away from the museum which originates the material
ID questions: James Smithson
the first national museum 1846- Smithsonian Institution 1764-1829 British scientist estate left to "the U.S.A., to found at Washington, under the name of the Smithsonian Institution, an establishment for the increase and diffusion of knowledge" 1835- $10.5 million (in 2008 US dollars) Structure: museum- collections in the sciences, arts, and history library program of research and publication
Define a furnishing plan and describe its content, goals, and development.
the furnishing plan presents in careful detail the architectural elements, objects and related historical information required to accurately furnish and interpret the house. content: describes the architectural appearance of each room (walls, ceilings, and floor treatments, etc.), describes the furnishings needed for each room, presents the historical justification for the selection of each architectural element and object the furnishing plan guides: the restoration of the house, the acquisition of objects for the house answers to questions such as: what was the destination of the rooms? did the partition of the house change over time? what was the wall treatment? was there carpet on the floor? where would the bed be placed in a certain room? who lived in the house? is based on research conducted by the curatorial staff, volunteers, and consultants, is the basis for the interpretation of the historic house
Define deaccessioning, give two examples of situations that can result in deaccessioning, and explain their disposal choice(s).
the process of removing accessioned objects from the museum's collections management system, legally and permanently reasons: deterioration of the object, object might be a fake, object doesn't fit into the museum's collecting policy, object doesn't fit quality standards (better examples are available on the market), object has duplicates, object is the subject of repatriation laws
