MODERN MUSEUM METHODS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22271, 9 December 1937, Page 18

MODERN MUSEUM METHODS

SCRUPULOUS CARE IN PRESENTATION

ADDRESS BY AMERICAN / EXPERT /' r y I■■ An indication of the scrupulous care taken in American ■ museums to preexhibits in the most effective manner was given in an address to the Canterbury branch of the Royal Society of New Zealand last night by Mr Frank Tose, chief of the departijnent of exhibits at the California 'Academy of Sciences, San Francisco. iMr Tose is visiting the Dominion as jthe holder of a scholarship given by Jthe Carnegie Corporation of New bbrk.

Mr Tose said that museums, in the Ifenaih. were paid for by the people, end they had a right to demand that the best use was made of the exhibits, it was now recognised that it was -unwise to exhibit animals in a natural light, as this harmed them. Exhibits 'were now placed under cover and artificial lighting was used. The aim of those who prepared and mounted the exhibits was to give the impression that the animals were in their natural surroundings, and that called for absolute accuracy of representation. Everything was done to wed science and art, the keynote being simplicity and absolute realism.

Commenting on one of the many slides he showed to illustrate his remarks—that of a group ol African animals—Mr Tose said that the preparation of the exhibit took him six years. It involved a trip to Africa so that nil the natural details could be reproduced, and one of the leading artists in the United States was employed to paint the background. It was remarkable what effects could be gained by the skilful portrayal of background.

Another instance of the use of modern science in museum technique was to be found in the work done at the Field Museum in Chicago. An expert had been employed there for 15 years making experiments in the use of celluloid for exhibits of crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and rhinoceroses. The use of celluloid had now been perfected and the reproductions had all the details of the originals. It was a much better method of taxidermy than the old method of tanning the hide and stuffing it. It had the additional advantage that the exhibit was not attacked by museum pests, and its condition would not be changed 100 years hence.