Expanding Internationalism - A Conference on ... - Mary Jane Jacob

4. opening up new opportunities and avenues for man to develop a greater and
better understanding of his neighbors; and
5. promoting better political and cultural relations between nations and
peoples.
The political dimension of international exhibitions is now
assuming important dimensions we can no longer ignore.
However, we in Africa do recognize the practical problems involved in
organizing international exhibitions. Let me highlight some of our fears and
problems:
1. the risk of overexposure of the works due to excessively long lengthy
viewing, thus making them lose their dramatic impact, which may lead to
trivializing their meaning and potency;
2. the lack of financial benefits accruing to the country or museum of
origin
(This is a serious problem that should be addressed at this
conference. African Museums are generally under-funded, and it does not
appear that they benefit financially like the host country or museum when
their works of art are taken out for exhibition) ; and
3. the risk of taking the exhibits out with too small a number of trained and
qualified staff from the museum/country of origin.
In most cases, as was
the case with the Nigerian experience, only one staff was taken at a
time.
This is grossly inadequate and unprofessional, especially when it
is understood that such a person acco.rrpanying the works is the anchorman
for the museum/ country of origin.
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