I totally disagree with Paolo. Phones are universal not “commoners’ stuff”. It is not a sacred experience that I am after, I simply want to be able to look at the paintings in the exhibition . Those that take photos need to be quite close to the painting without anyone in front of them, they then take up the space of three people by holding the phone up to their eye. In the once in a lifetime exhibition at present in The National Gallery it is very busy which is to be expected so it is especially galling. It is time the museums had the courage to take action either by a complete ban or by giving special times of the day - early or late? - when cameras would be allowed in.
I always am grateful to the private collectors who give up their paintings for an exhibition and I have noticed on a previous occasion that sometimes photography is not permitted of certain paintings.
There's a reflection to be made about privilege in here...
The discussion about banning phones can quickly enter classism territory. Phones are perceived as "commoners' stuff" and their presence one that "cheapens" the museum experience. But most people who are in a museum at any given time - and especially those who visit massive attractions such as the MoMA - don't go to museums all the time. We can't ask visitors to come en masse so the museum raises money, and then ask them to come in as some sort of sacred experience where they should just be thankful that they're allowed in.
On a vaguely related note, will there be a book recommendations part 2 with Front of house staff? They usually have the most diverse and most interesting suggestions!
I made my peace with the phones after a few recent visits to must-see & "blockbuster" shows. I still want to go to those, I'm human. But, I have a better art experience at other places in the museum. During the Van Gogh exhibit at National Gallery, the Constable Hay Wain exhibit was much more pleasant to view.
I totally disagree with Paolo. Phones are universal not “commoners’ stuff”. It is not a sacred experience that I am after, I simply want to be able to look at the paintings in the exhibition . Those that take photos need to be quite close to the painting without anyone in front of them, they then take up the space of three people by holding the phone up to their eye. In the once in a lifetime exhibition at present in The National Gallery it is very busy which is to be expected so it is especially galling. It is time the museums had the courage to take action either by a complete ban or by giving special times of the day - early or late? - when cameras would be allowed in.
I always am grateful to the private collectors who give up their paintings for an exhibition and I have noticed on a previous occasion that sometimes photography is not permitted of certain paintings.
There's a reflection to be made about privilege in here...
The discussion about banning phones can quickly enter classism territory. Phones are perceived as "commoners' stuff" and their presence one that "cheapens" the museum experience. But most people who are in a museum at any given time - and especially those who visit massive attractions such as the MoMA - don't go to museums all the time. We can't ask visitors to come en masse so the museum raises money, and then ask them to come in as some sort of sacred experience where they should just be thankful that they're allowed in.
On a vaguely related note, will there be a book recommendations part 2 with Front of house staff? They usually have the most diverse and most interesting suggestions!
I made my peace with the phones after a few recent visits to must-see & "blockbuster" shows. I still want to go to those, I'm human. But, I have a better art experience at other places in the museum. During the Van Gogh exhibit at National Gallery, the Constable Hay Wain exhibit was much more pleasant to view.