I paid a visit to the Ringling Museum yesterday and found this Don Foote creation on display. Am I correct to remember that this is the costume Mrs. Woodcock wore while riding the payoff elephant in spec in 1978? I also came across one of your hats from Big Apple. I was a little disappointed that the lighting was so dim that you couldn't fully appreciate intricate and beautiful the wardrobe on display really is. And am I wrong to think that a circus museum should be a riot of sound and color rather than having the atmosphere of a funeral home? Between that and seeing the condition of the old circus arena in Venice I came away slightly depressed. |
Friday, March 27, 2009
Ringling Museum #1 (From Barry Phillips)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Hello: Having spent some 35 years (my entire post-graduate professional career) in the restoration and preservation of fine art and historical artifacts, the reason this wardrobe and other artifacts are kept under low light levels is for protection from further fading and other damages caused by light. Both visible and ultraviolet wavelengths of light can cause excessive damage to many types of materials, including pigments and dyes, especially dyes used in circus wardrobe. The dyed feathers in this costume will not only fade very quickly, light also causes all kinds of degradative chemical reactions in both natural and syntehtic materials, which breaks down cellular and molecular structures. Feathers are notorious for breaking down very quickly, especially with light as a catalyst. Keeping the light levels low is the best way to preserve wardrobe such as this from totally degrading into dust! The staff at the Ringling Museum are not keeping the light levels low just to spite you, but they are looking out for and protecting the collection artifacts. Artifacts that are especially fugitive (subject to fading) or especially subject to light damage are recommended to be kept under light levels of 55 lux or 5 footcandles, which may seem dark to many people. However, unless you are blind or have a significant vision disorder, 55 lux or 5 footcandles is sufficient light to see detail and read fine print at a "normal" viewing distance of 3 feet. These measurements are not chosen casually, but are based upon years of scientific testing and research, both for human vision capabilities and for preservation of the materials involved. I can't speak for you, but I would much prefer to view something that I consider to be of great aesthetic and historic value in a lower light level knowing that it will last exponentially longer because of it. Think about it; with proper care this wardrobe will last much longer than you will and will be able to enlighten and enthrall many more generations into the future.
Neil Cockerline
Director of Preservation Services and Conservator
Midwest Art Conservation Center
Minneapolis, MN
and
Retired Circus Performer and Current Circus Fan
Buckles,
We just wanted to let you know that Anna Mays blanket is on display immediately beside this wardrobe.
We did not receive the headress that goes with this costume, but would be hppy to include it in the display.
Best,
Jennifer Lemmer Posey
Assistant Curator of the Circus Museum
I will always remember Barbra in this costume; I think that this is what she wore in finale when I almost harpooned her with my American flag during the cross mount on the first day that I was a clown after leaving Gary and the Elephant ride.
I don’t know about museums and the care they take to have the best lighting to preserve feathers, colors, rhinestones and such. But this piece of memorabilia from our past would be better presented on a coat hanger than on this naked want to be scarecrow tossed into the role of mannequin with cartoon hands.
Neil:
As a lighting designer by trade I was aware that light will fade materials over time but didn’t know a lot of the technical details. Since lighting of displays is out of my realm of expertise I sincerely appreciate your insight and you’ve peaked my interest on the subject as well!
I’ve seen a number of show costumes on display at other museums and while the lighting has been at lower levels it was still arranged in such a way that allowed the colors and designs to stand out even inside a display case. The Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville seems to do this very well. In fact, the costumes on display at the old circus museum building are lit very well and it’s quite a visual jolt when you walk in the door. Perhaps it was the absence of other elements that caused it to stand out in my mind.
For instance, the miniature circus is absolutely amazing and would be outstanding if it were merely sitting in a room by itself…which was sort of what I was expecting. I was unaware of just how incredible the attention to detail is (and the inclusion of the small video screens here and there is a really nice touch) but it was the background sounds that really made it come to life and those little extra touches took an already outstanding exhibit to a whole different level. On the other hand, the old display building had no background music or sound and the staff wandered around looking as if it was their last day on earth…an atmosphere that just seemed out of place at a circus museum. (Actually, the entire staff…with two or three notable exceptions…seemed a tad grumpy yesterday. Maybe the stars were just out of alignment. I don’t know.)
Anyway, this discussion probably bores everyone else to tears but I’m interesting in learning more about the subject of museum lighting if you’d like to contact me via e-mail at blphillips@worldnet.att.net. Thanks again!
Barry
Post a Comment