I have to agree with you too Martin: I'd feel cheated to see a repro
poster at a museum where they own the original. There are thousands of
museums
and galleries around the world where they display fragile items of arguably
greater historical and cultural value (... and being film poster addicts
that’s a point we may well argue). The Star-Spangled Banner at The
Smithsonian is perhaps an extreme example, but I notice they're absolutely
determined to have that on permanent display now. Even when I saw it 20 years
ago,
there was some sort of contraption to reveal it for a few minutes every
hour. Yes, a balance has to be found as you say. Rotation, a separate area
with
controlled lighting, whatever. Ultimately, though, what's the point of
keeping something for the public good if it's never going to be appreciated by
the public?
I can't recall a particularly underwhelming film-related exhibition
experience. I did have a near brush with disappointment at MoMA in New York
though. While on a short trip in the 90s I had read that MoMA had an archive of
movie posters, and so paid a visit hoping against hope they might have
some on display. At first things looked promising, as I found 3 Saul Bass
posters quite soon after entering. After that, though, there seemed to be
nothing, so I just had to give up and resign myself to glancing at one or two
modern art masterpieces :) At the end of my visit I decided a restroom break
might be a good idea, and instinctively headed downstairs. All of a sudden
I found myself surrounded by hordes of movie posters on walls and on
columns. Paradise! It was the lobby area for the study rooms and theatres. I
remember there was a Gilda style B and a Spellbound 3-sheet, but can't
remember
much else now. Perhaps some of our New York correspondents can confirm
if they are still there.
Amongst the best exhibitions I've seen is probably Saul Bass at the Design
Museum London 2004. (Yes another person who still likes Saul Bass!) I also
used to be quite fond of the Museum of the Moving Image in London before
it closed with its Magic Lanterns, Soviet Agit-Prop Train Carriage, and
enthusiastic guides dressed up as Chaplin etc whom it was always a fun game to
dodge. Just remembered one of the nicest small displays I've been to was a
collection of Italian posters at the Estorick museum of Modern Italian
Art again in London. Not all great posters, but really impressive to see so
many posters of that size together. They also made the effort to print a
decent illustrated booklet for what was quite a short exhibit. Glad you and
Helmut mentioned the posters at the Berlin museum - love to go there
someday, but I'm sure I would have felt a bit let down if I'd had no warning.
Paul
_www.movieposterstudio.com_ (http://www.movieposterstudio.com)
In a message dated 13/01/2016 19:33:07 GMT Standard Time,
[email protected] writes:
A few questions to members:
1. Have you also had such underwhelming exhibition experiences?
2. What do think about museums displaying copies?
3. What is the best and worst movie-related exhibition or museum
you have ever visited?
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