Question for Museum Goers?

Question

Destruction of objects in museum environments?
Part of my thesis for graduate school is on the destruction of objects in museum environments caused by visitors or staff. I am looking for real life examples of people destroying works of art. Have you ever witnessed anyone touching, writing on, climbing on, etc. a work of art in a museum or museum like setting? Have you ever seen someone disregard ropes or other barriers to get a closer look at a work of art? Have you ever seen anyone leave garbage behind? Take flash photography? Have you ever witnessed a security guard repremanding someone for any of these things? If you have seen someone do something along these lines or if you have done any of those things could you give me an example. I would really appreciate it. (If you have done any of these things I will not think less of you and will not include any names or screennames in my paper) Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

I have a friend who works in an art museum. One really egregious incident, aside from flash-photography was an elderly couple who would be presumed old enough to know not to touch the work, especially with the "Please do not touch" signs.

Anyway, the couple, a man and woman, were looking at some art done on an evidently intriguing medium, not canvas. The man quickly extended his hand and thumped the piece with his finger, audibly. "Yep, its wood!", he pronounced his verdict. My friend fumed, but didn't say much to the people because of their age. He has assured me he will not be so tolerant in the future.

Touring a museum in D.C. (I can't remember which one) with this same friend and others, we were darkly amused at how the dark-green patina had disappeared from the now shiny bronze penis of the statue within reach.

Answer 2

When at The Louvre in Paris in 1984, I was astonished at the number of people taking flash photos in and around the more famous works, especially the Mona Lisa. I understand that the museum has now constructed a special housing that protects that specific work from light, including camera flashes. In my experience there, the guards made a concerted effort to prevent flash photography, but they failed due to the sheer number of people making the attempt.

As a local museum (VA Museum of Fine Art in Richmond), we had a showing of French impressionist art (~2002), and many patrons ignored the ropes and "leaned over" to get a better view. Inevitably, several people lost balance and touched the painting, either with their heads or hands (trying to catch themselves), and to my releif and amazement, there was no visible damage. However, there was also effort by the museum staff to prevent this behavior, and despite my complaints, I did not see anyone removed from the museum. Amazingly, there were many rooms in which there wasn't even a guard present.

Answer 3

Visit the Louvre sometime, or the Sistine Chapel; there are signs EVERYWHERE in six languages asking you to stay behind the ropes and not to take flash photography because the light of the flash will gradually fade the paint, and there are a zillion tourists with flash bulbs going off and maybe two security guards yelling at each and every one of them. This is why the Mona Lisa is displayed behind this clear acrylic shield; if you try to take a flash photo of her, all you get is a reflection of the flash.

I've also seen (in Florence) somebody just stand there and watch their kid try to climb onto the replica of the statue of David; granted, it's a replica and not the real thing, but it's still a museum piece, and if they really wanted you to stand next to it, they'd probably charge a price to get your picture with David rather than roping it off.

Answer 4

I have not, nor would I ever do that, but there was a recent story (probably in the last month or so) of a kid who was on a field trip who put his piece of chewed gum on a painting.

I have also seen security guards reprimanding people for standing beyond the ropes or taking flash pictures.