When “ wall obstructions” become teachable moments: Learning in Museums 2008 Peter Samis Associate Curator, Interpretation San Francisco Museum of Modern Art AAM-LiM Minneapolis 20 June 2008

This is our Problem Space: Opportunity

Visual Velcro The ability of an image or object to grab you, stop you in your tracks, reach down into you, and stay with you.

The ability of an image or object to grab you, stop you in your tracks, reach down into you, and stay with you.

Teflon Velcro

Some things have velcro even though they look clean and polished… Mirrors, for instance.

Or even moreso, “The Bean.” 3,591 images on flickr. [These 5 by Ken Ilio.]

When there’s no velcro, we supply the hooks. [used by Wayne Gretzky as a child]

Different objects have different hooks suited to them… urbanmkr , ...in our borrowed tackle box

Sometimes it’s a case of what’s missing.

Sometimes it’s a case of what’s there.

We have tools. Some are traditional…

and others are technological.

How do we know when to choose which? — Randi Korn & Associates

Or put another way: This is our Opportunity Space!

Answer the Big Questions Why would anyone make/ collect this ? What’s it doing in this big ( or little ) museum? What does it have to do with the other works around it? What would I be doing if I made this— or were in this historic person’s boots?

Why would anyone make/ collect this ?

What’s it doing in this big ( or little ) museum?

What does it have to do with the other works around it?

What would I be doing if I made this— or were in this historic person’s boots?

Hypothetical Demand Curve:

Honor the artist—and the object. Honor the visitor. Meet your visitors where they are. &

Thank you.

Additional Photo Credits Marshall Astor, Walter Kitundu - Fifteen String Phonoharp label - Museum of Craft and Folk Art, San Francisco Marshall Astor, De Young Museum - Burroughs photograph - label Mr. T in DC , Grumman F4F-4 Wildcat Info