All national and provincial comprehensive museums in China stopped charging visitors entry fees this year. But the measure has some unwanted consequences according to the Shanghai Daily. Suddenly huge crowds appear in the museums, making it difficult to appreciate the art. The museum in Jiading district attracted about 20,000 visitors during Chinese New Year, although normally just 100-200 people would visit.
Big crowds is one thing, but another is there behavior. According to a quote in the article, the Shanghai Art Museum “was just like a wet market during the Spring Festival”. Kids were playing and running in the halls, and other people were shouting loudly. Indeed not the best way to appreciate art masterpieces. But I would not be surprised if the uneducated security guards are much happier in such a merry environment, and do not do anything to stop the nuisance caused by the crowds.
Because the free entry to museums was announced in a state government notice, it is not something museums can change themselves (The Shanghai Art Museum is an exception and will start charging again after the Spring Festival). From now on most museums are only able to charge for special exhibitions, and it will be hard to call the normal collection a special exhibition. Therefore a recommendation, do not visit a museum during weekends or national holidays anymore, but try to stick to working days where there won’t be much of a change.
So what you’re suggesting is: Oh yeah, let’s keep these enjoyable masterpieces away from those who formerly could simply not afford to ‘enjoy masterpieces’? These ?? can’t and therefore don’t deserve to appreciate the ??’s art?
I can certainly see the problem here, but it would be really nice if critics like you could and would also come up with some kind of solution, apart from complaining about the normal folks being, let’s say, differently attituted than the more culturally gifted people…
Best regards, ??
Matai, you don’t have to agree with me, but I don’t think a museum should look like a zoo. If you believe in different classes of people (with your xia ren and shang ren statement), that says more about you than about me.
Solution? Simple, you have to make sure that people do not see a museum as a place to hang out with friends and family the whole day like in a shopping mall. Just charge a nominal fee, low enough for people to go in if they want to appreciate the art, but a barrier of entry for people who use it as a place to avoid the cold (or heat) outside.
And yes, the attitude is a problem if you want to appreciate art. For me that does not work in a busy, noisy place. Solution here is also a no-brainer: Make sure that people understand that a museum is not a shopping mall or sports stadium and that they need to follow certain behavioral guidelines. And instruct guards to not just sit around, but do something about it.
I am late in seeing this post.
I do agree with Marc. There is a place for everything. And it is a LEARNING process. I am sure if we go to an reexamination hall to do a state exam, we know we should not speak, OR (I hope) if we are in the library we should pay attention to the SILENT sign.
Arts and arts appreciation is not meant for everyone. So, lets keep the museum for people who appreciate arts and enjoy the QUIET moments to PAY THEIR RESPECT to the artists. Secondly, IF China wants to promote the appreciation of arts, then perhaps should put in a process to help kids and young adults HOW to appreciate arts. For example, it might be a good idea to schedule in a visit to the museum with the guidance and supervision of a art or music teacher.
Are we being snobbish to think only the upper class have the right to go to museum etc.? But I do believe we have the duty to respect the wishes of the majority and do our parts and be a decent fellow citizen.
China and Chinese from mainland China still have plenty to learn. For the past 30 odd years I have taken my time to learn to appreciate the differences between me and the cultures wherever I am. And cultures do no stop at just being Chinese vs Westerners vs the rest of the world. Cultures also due with other instances such as arts cultures, languages, office cultures etc. etc. etc.