Abstract This paper examines the ways in which museum exhibition styles influence the way a object is viewed and interpreted by patrons. It looks at the most common tools used in creating an exhibition - the labeling, lighting and assemblage context, and how they may be manipulated either intentionally, or unintentionally, to convey a certain message about an object. It also examines the way display context may hinder effective communication with the viewer. Three example exhibitions are used to illustrate how various display modes can be used to communicate; the 1876 Paris Exposition of Louis Napoleon, the Herbert Ward exhibition of Africana and the 1988 exhibition 'Art/Artifact' at the center for African Art in New York. This paper also examines how the display context in each of these examples is used to convey a political message, represent a culture, and to challenge people's notions about aesthetic objects and cultural artifacts.
From the Paper "Exhibitions are most commonly seen in the everyday appearance of shop windows. Retailers use the exhibition of their goods to communicate to the customer something about the object. Through their use of the display case, lighting and the orientation of their goods they are telling the consumer the object is valuable and desirable. Exhibitors in museums also have this power to communicate through exhibition design. Unlike the shop displays though, the messages conveyed through museum exhibition are varied and complicated and far more reaching. An exhibitor has the power to affect how we will view an object. "The mode of installation, the subtle messages communicated through design, arrangement and assemblage can either aid or impede our appreciation and understanding of the visual, cultural, social and political interest of the objects and stories exhibited in museums." (Ivan Karp, 1991 pp. 13-14) Museum exhibitors not only have the power to communicate through their displays, but they also have the ability to direct the patron's perception of that object. Just as many believe a photograph is an accurate representation of reality, many patrons take what they are given in an exhibit as fact, even though both the photograph and the exhibit are subjects of the creators' interpretation."
Discusses the legal case of "Lynch v Donnelly" regarding the presence of a nativity scene or creche on government property during the Christmas season.
Abstract This paper explains the circumstances, which lead to the suit by the American Civil Liberties Union claiming that the Christmas display in the town of Pawtucket, Rhode Island, was violating the Establishment Clause of the U.S. Constitution because the display was stored and owned by the city government and thereby clearly sponsoring religion. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled, the author relates, in a 5-4 vote, in this case known as "Lynch v Donnelly", that the city be allowed to keep the display because it was merely celebrating the history of the holiday season not pushing religion. The paper proceeds to investigate the basis for this decision especially the "lemon test".
From the Paper "In 1971, because citizen taxpayers in Rhode Island were the providers of this state funding, they brought suit to have the act declared unconstitutional and violates the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses of the First Amendment. Fighting against them were state-officials who started the act, teachers who were eligible for the salary increase, and parents of children in parochial schools.
"This had happened before. The state of Pennsylvania has also adopted a program that has some of the features of the Rhode Island act."
Tags: history, religious displays, lemon test, first amendment, establishment clause
Abstract This paper examines how, like television sets, computer monitors also display images on a screen, but they have quite different functions. It looks at how the monitor is a very important part of a computer and how choosing a monitor for a computer is a very crucial decision to be made. It discusses how the power consumption of the monitor can be reduced by as much as 90% by choosing a proper monitor with built-in power management features that are user-friendly. It also provides an insight into two of the most common types of monitors in use today, the CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitors and LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) monitors.
From the Paper "CRT types of monitors are the ones that we have been in use for a number of years. Cathode Ray Tubes are over 75 years old and are even older than vacuum tubes, which were used, for amplification of signals. CRTs were first used for radar during the Second World War. It is being predicted for a long time that these tubes consume too much energy and are not likely to be used in future devices or products for more than another 10 years. These expert predictions have been consistently wrong over the past decades, but now the full motion video seems to be on its wall. These are being replaced by flat panel displays, which have been dreamt of by the scientists for the last 30 years."
Abstract This paper describes "Leadership: Eagle", a print by an anonymous artist and offers reasons why it should be displayed in the author's workplace. The paper discusses the work's composition, aesthetic elements and principles, and iconography. It clearly presents a case for the committee deciding the matter and states why the artwork was chosen. To conclude, the paper recommends the print because it visually and ideologically complements a previously existing print already displayed there.
Outline:
Composition
Elements of Art
Principles of Art
Iconography
My choice of artwork
Description
The Case for the Committee
Concluding Remarks
From the Paper "The picture depicts a textual message superimposed upon the focal point of the window. As the focus of the picture, window is the largest shape in the work. The dancer who looks up towards the window is the second dominant figure in the picture, and appears to strive towards the message and its fulfillment. As such, the hue of the window and the attitude of the dancer conspire to emphasize the message of the text: strength or misery is a choice that each individual makes. The dancer strives towards the choice of strength, with the light in front of and above her working to assist her."
Abstract This paper examines the marketing strategies of three furniture companies to explain why they have succeeded where others have failed.
From the paper:
"One of the major Ethan Allen company trademarks is that they were first to display their furniture as a room would look with all the pieces arranged and thus giving customers a look at like what their home could look if they were to purchase all the included pieces."
This essay discusses prominent historical changes that occurred amidst social, economic and political change and highlights how changes in the same area, but from different time periods, manifest themselves in similar and dissimilar ways.
570 words (approx. 2.3 pages), 0 sources, 2000, $ 20.95
Abstract The following paper looks at the way in which history is displayed through the social, economic and political change. It touches on changes in the American Society, Japanese society and the Industrial Revolution in England. In addition the author comments on the Information Age as well as the American Revolution and revolution in Iran.
From the Paper "Prior to television, authority was a central influence in American society. Television has participated in a social upheaval, where youth culture has replaced authority as a major social force. Television is a medium driven by advertising dollars and the advertising industry is driven by satisfying the needs of people with disposable income and few consumer loyalties: young people"
Abstract This paper discusses how the rapid growth of the wireless communication technology has had a great impact on our business and day to day activities and how the cell phones and the PDAs have become ubiquitous communication tools. It outlines the basic functions of each gadget and shows how integration with other communications devices, improved display quality and the ability to access the web have made these cell phones, PDAs, and other digital gadgets an indispensable tool for the mobile workforce.
From the Paper "Personal Digital Assistants are highly portable and self-contained computing systems that are fast becoming an integral part of the mobile computing world. The integration of wireless LAN technology and PDAs has given a new level of mobility to the users. With the possibility of web access becoming a reality PDAs have an advantage over the cell phones because of their large screen displays. So it is plainly obvious that the growth of the PDAs lies centered around the interfacing or the integration with the other systems using wireless LANs. [Raymond .P. Weneig, 31]"
Tags: LAN, internet, communication, wireless, display, web
Abstract This paper explains that the Fowler is a museum of culture rather than an art museum, and therefore it concentrates on the way culture is manifested by different peoples around the world. The author points out that the Fowler Museum is in a relatively new building on the north end of the campus of UCLA, but getting to the museum and close-parking areas are problems. This paper explains that the display of the artifacts in this museum differs from that in many museums; the visitor is not so separated from the objects being shown, but rather most objects rest on low platforms no more than a foot or so off the ground. The paper includes details of the "Music in the Life of Africa" exhibition.
From the Paper "Two of the current exhibits emphasize a continuing concern with how a culture makes use of its waste in artistic expression with shows on how certain materials are recycled for use in artworks. A second show has a similar theme but is more particularized as it shows "Muffler Men," or human figures made from discarded mufflers, usually by mechanics who then place these figures outside their businesses as advertising to show passersby what kind of business is conducted inside. Many of these figures are very creative. One service station shown in a photograph has eight or nine such figures outside and on its roof. Some of the figures are playing musical instruments, also made from old mufflers and other automobile parts no longer needed. The figures are usually painted, and they resemble nothing so much as robots in an old science fiction movie."
Abstract This essay will argue that the significance of the Bre-X story is that it displays the importance of promotion in any business enterprise. Bre-X officials played the Canadian media, and in particular the new electronic medium of the Internet, to promote their Indonesian gold find. An analysis of the Bre-X story will demonstrate that if the promotion is crafted to appeal to the desire of the media and the public for a particular narrative, in the short term few will look close at the details of the business plan and practices behind the promotion.
Abstract This paper describes and reviews the art exhibits on display at the Whitney Museum. The paper points out that the exhibits tend toward stereotypical portrayals of American society and American citizens and offer very little new insight or point of views about America.
From the Paper "In summary, "The American Effect" tells us a great deal about how the world sees America as a nation, and how the world views the contemporary American as an individual. Unfortunately, if "The American Effect" is any true judge of the world's view of America, the rest of the globe is a long way from developing any novel and insightful glimpses into either America or Americans. Put simply, "The American Effect" is a bit of a disappointment for anyone hoping to come away with any new insights into the American psyche. The individual displays themselves are sometimes excellent and revealing, but as a whole the collection fell disappointingly short of my expectations."
Abstract In 1974, Sir Roy Strong, the director of the Victoria and Albert Museum at the time, felt there were enough significant objects relating to the history of childhood within the Victoria and Albert Museum to devote an entirely separate museum to this subject. Since then, the V&A childhood collection has been housed at Bethnal Green and has developed and grown in status to become a collection of national and international significance. Using the documentation available in the Museum of Childhood archives, the author of this paper has produced a comprehensive report on the most popular and influential games displayed at the museum. The paper shows that games were not just a leisure activity arbitrarily serving as a means of passing time. Many times, they are used to teach morals, histories, and religions, and are always a reflection of the culture that surrounds them.
From the Paper "Because of the gambling character inherent in many games played with a normal deck of cards, such as Poker or Bridge, children's card games were often specifically designed to look different by the addition of pictures or words. In Europe, card games have been documented since about 1370. Card games for children are often fast-moving, enjoyable and easy to learn. Most could be played with a standard deck as well, but often cards for children have an educational theme, with designs based on almost any subject, from fairy tales to maths."
Tags: Monopoly, Chad, Valley, Company, Jigsaw, puzzles
Abstract This paper reports that the "Information Age" exhibit has on display hundreds of items spanning the 150-year length of the "Information Age". The author points out that, from the telegraph to the portable computer and digital CD ROM, these devices have helped shape the world around us and have given us access to a whole new way of life. The paper states that the exhibit contains additional facts, including the fact that the first computers were sold as kits for which consumers had to make their own case because many marketers believed the personal computer was not a salable product.
From the Paper "In addition to the telegraph, a basic cable, called the Atlantic cable of 1858, is also on display. Being to forefather to the coaxial cable that would later transform information across the globe, this cable was not well designed, and only stayed operable for a few days. However, later cables would spread the information world across the ocean for the first time, promoting intercontinental communications. In addition, the "Information Age" exhibit includes a telephone display, showing the history of the telephone as the world knows it today. Beginning with Alexander Graham Bell's early telephone equipment, including pictures of his early experimental phones, and spanning to the commercial phone of 1877 and the first telephones with a dial, this display shows the evolution of both the phone its self, and the equipment created to handle the calls."
Abstract This paper explains that methods and approaches adopted by museums reflect varying responses to the constraints placed upon them. The different restraints are discussed and include financial considerations, the nature of their real estate, their perceived audience, the nature of their collections, the role of scholarship and education in their mission, and the practical necessities of preserving and displaying the material artifacts of their collections.
From the Paper "While the challenges and logistics are present, the preservation of a historical building and land may prove to be more significant than any treasure that is housed in the building. Older architecture often requires additional structural support to provide a safe environment for visitors. It is often necessary to use restorative methods to enhance security measures, adjusting for the more primitive setting of an older building. Historic preservation of historic places is similar to the preservation work of many museum collections. Many museums and institutions work with the constraints of a historical building for the preservation of the regional history, and the added financial breaks that accompany the restoration of a historical building or monument and the listing of the institution in the National Registry of Historic places. Acknowledging architecture as history is important in our endeavors to preserve our society's rich past. Many museums that are set in historical building utilized the setting to teach living history and interpretation of historical events. This form of interactional display provides engaging events for active public participation."
Abstract This paper examines different characteristics of a good leader and looks at how they are portrayed through the character of Colonel Robert Shaw in the movie. Using the military aspect of the movie, the writer discusses how Shaw was an example of a good leader/soldier and the manner in which these were displayed in his actions throughout the film.
From the Paper "Shaw's action has several other aspects, however, that contributed to it being an exceedingly effective way to gain support. One theory of leadership insists, "Leaders gain followers because people and organizations need direction. Although managers also provide direction, leaders chart direction in a different domain. . . . Eventually in every organization, the established path becomes blocked, or people get stuck in a rut, or a new possibility exists that is not on the existing course. The leader steps up when no defined path exists." (Blank 16). Simply put, a leader is willing to step outside of the boundaries governing conventional behavior to achieve his or her aims. People admire this quality; reaching beyond traditional paradigms allows the convictions of the leader and his followers to transcend the organizational structures that appear to limit them. A completely acceptable reaction to his soldiers' pay refusal would have been for Shaw to announce that he would report their grievances to his superiors. But Shaw goes beyond this sanctioned-almost scripted-response. By doing the unexpected, the Colonel takes a giant leap away from the persona of slave driver, or appointed manager, and towards a genuine leader of people and ideas."
Examines why humans do not display estrus, a phenomenon whereby the female exhibits certain physiological changes and emits secretions to attract the male for reproductive purposes.
Abstract Animals do not engage in human courtship rituals, asking potential partners for dates and engaging in long, sensitive conversations in an attempt to win over their trust. Instead, animals mate almost mechanically, often at set times of the year known as 'mating seasons,' in which the females enter into a hormonally induced period known as estrus, designed to attract males in order to ensure the birth of a new offspring of litter. The paper shows that such mating rituals would prove rather unsuitable for humans, since the idea of women entering a similar state of estrus is ludicrous, not to mention detrimental to the organization and smooth running of society. Indeed, civilization would become quite vulnerable if all its attentions turned to mating at certain times of the year. The paper shows that to ensure its successful existence, humans have lost this display of estrus, instead resorting to the more familiar mating rituals such as dating and wooing to ensure reproduction through a singularly pleasant means. Furthermore, reproduction among humans can theoretically take place at any time. This paper explores the phenomenon of estrus and why humans have lost this overt phenomenon, so essential to most other species.
From the Paper "The mechanics of animal reproduction usually distinguish between attractivity, proceptivity, and receptivity. Attractivity is the degree of attractions a female elicits in males, proceptivity is the female's use of signs to elicit a male's interest in reproduction, and receptivity defines how females respond to males' reproductive leads (4). In animals which exhibit estrus, these elements occur almost mechanically when a female enters estrus, or heat. In humans, however, Harris theorizes that human reproduction has evolved into a process-oriented rather than product-oriented system (4). Harris explains that "human courtship is a process that occurs over time and is the result of the behavior of both interactants" (4)."
Tags: sexuality, reproduction, coitus, Charles, Darwin
