I was in the Atlanta a few weeks ago, and went to the High Museum of Art, to see their exhibition of Henri Cartier-Bresson, the father of modern photojournalism.
While there, a youngster ran through the exhibit as if he was being chased. He almost knocked down an elderly woman using a cane. Moments later, a man came by running, touched the boy, and in a voice easy to hear from yards away, yelled, “You’re it!”
The two, I assume, father and son, were playing tag in the museum. Can you believe it???
A gruff older man pointed his finger at the man’s eyes and said in a loud voice, “Take it outside.” I assume they did. I didn’t see them again during my visit.
A few years ago in Paris, my wife and I went to the Louvre, one of the world’s great museums of art. I wanted to see the Mona Lisa in its new location. As I worked my way to the great Da Vinci painting, I noticed awful behavior by children, and horribly boorish behavior by too many adults. There were more than 200 in the room, with a third pushing and shoving their way to see it.
Despite a flash photography ban in the room, flash after flash reflected off Mona Lisa’s face, often obscuring it. Fortunately, the painting’s amazing protection keeps the flashes from destroying it forever.
Far too many adult museum goers have lost all sense of propriety, reasonable etiquette, and fairness to others.
I know most of my readers always take seriously the preservation of the art they view in museums, and display courtesy to their fellow visitors. As a frequent museum goer, I hope the few who don’t, might read this column and consider modifying their behavior during future museum visits.
• Don’t touch! Some museums are designed for children and encourage touching, (The Please Touch Museum in Philadelphia, is an example.) but generally we should never touch museum exhibits. The handling of museum items can cause damage to them. The oils, salts, or dirt on one’s hands can damage exhibited art, if touched. If the item is encased in glass, touching the glass can place fingerprints on it, obscuring the view of the object for others.
• Stay at least an arm’s length away from exhibited works. This will prevent accidental touching, and will allow others to view the exhibit simultaneously.
• Follow the museums’ rule banning food, gum and beverages in exhibit areas. A beverage spill, a splattering of food, or sticky gum could damage a work of art forever.
• Fairness to fellow museum goers requires each person visiting wait their turn and show patience to other visitors. This is critical in small museums and small exhibits. Waiting a few moments to view a work of art isn’t asking much. It’s not fair to jump in front of others already viewing the museum’s exhibits. Don’t stand in front of museum informational and descriptive signs once you’ve read them. Give others the chance. If the exhibit is crowded, once you’ve had a fair chance to view a work of art, move on. It’s not fair to monopolize a particular work(s) just because you like it. If you’re in a hurry, visit the next piece and return when possible.
• Most museums don’t permit bulky bags, especially backpacks in their exhibition areas. They make visitors “larger.” Backpacks are particularly dangerous. Most people wearing them are unaware how far they extend from their backs, and periodically knock into things. That movement can damage priceless works of art. If you are asked to check your belongings do it. Don’t argue.
• Turn off your cell phone’s ringer, and MP3 player. Return your calls outside the museum. While there’s no need for museum silence, conversation should be kept at an appropriate level. Be respectful of others when speaking. Museum visitors deserve to view its exhibitions in a reasonably tranquil environment.
• No horseplay! Rowdy or boisterous behavior can result in damage to the very artwork which museums seek to preserve for generations to come. It is beyond my comprehension how any adult would behave in this manner at any time while in a museum, or permit their children to do the same.
• If a museum has a rule against flash photography, don’t try to be sneaky. Turn your flash off. If you don’t know how, find out, or put your camera away. The flash of thousands of cameras can damage paintings, photographs and other artworks. Using your flash when banned could result in the museum eventually banning all photography. That’s just what’s happened at Egypt’s Valley of the Kings. People were too lazy to turn off their flashes, so now photography is entirely banned there.
• If a museum bans photography and/or video all together, put away your camera. Don’t be an embarrassment and try to sneak some shots. If you’re not sure about photography rules, ask.
• If you’re a smoker, catch a puff outside if you must. Smoke deposits damage museum pieces, especially paintings and other rare artifacts.
After many years working in corporate America as a chemical engineer, executive and eventually CFO of a multinational manufacturer, Ned founded a tech consulting company and later restarted NSL Photography, his photography business. Before entering the corporate world, Ned worked as a Public Health Engineer for the Philadelphia Department of Public Health. As a well known corporate, travel and wildlife photographer, Ned travels the world writing about travel and photography, as well as running photography workshops, seminars and photowalks. Visit Ned’s Photography Blog and Galleries.
