Chicagoist: Lumos! Exhibition at MSI Sheds New Light on Harry Potter Movies

JessNevins

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:57:26 -0600

Good points, but I disagree. I work in education, specifically dealing with young adults and preteens. They are naturally curious and often bothered by how infomation is soup ladelled to them in these kind of exhibits. Like "HEY WE'RE DRESSING UP LEARNIN'!" They like hands on, practical things. Do an exhibition on film-making, let them, I dunno, MAKE FILMS. They want to participate, do, explore and be part of the action. Filing past Hagrid's costume in a huge crush of humanity isn't going to inspire learning more about the craft of film-making or costumers. These exhibits ("Star Wars") are about the boredom killing business. The irony being, they're really boring the audience they are meant to inspire. Second, this isn't about the books at all, this is about the movies. The books aren't that bad really (well, after the third one she was in dire need of a proper editor, 600+ pages of Harry Potter as a spotty 16 year old is a war crime) but this exhibit isn't about those books. It's about films. It's a haunted house in a museum. A fine thing, but presenting it as educational, scientific or "inspiring is disingenuous.

Chris F

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:38:22 -0600

OK, although I had an identical first impression, I'll give a shot at justifying this. On the one hand, this exhibit will attract kids to the museum that normally would not make the trip outside of a school field trip- maybe while they're there, they'll be exposed to some actual Science and/or Industry. That Industry part is what probably makes this kosher- the American film industry is one of our last profitable concerns, for the film companies if not necessarily for the workers. Second, get a kid to read a book of their own volition, and they're much more likely to embrace reading, and therefore learning. The Potter books may not be the height of literature, but if kids read them and enjoy them, they'll be more likely to pick up another book, and another and another. I know this exhibit is about the films, but if it gets the kids excited and reading, that's a win.

Ingrid

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:28:22 -0600

Most of the special exhibits I've ever been to at any science museum anywhere are, in my opinion, colossal wastes of time and money. They seem to be little more than an amusing way to spend a couple of hours with your kids. And only amusing if you happen to go at a time when the attendance is low. Nothing is worse than going to an exhibit and it's so crowded that you cannot see anything, or in the case of 'hands on', you can't use it because of too many people, or parts or broken or used up.

JessNevins

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 11:17:21 -0600

What the hell does this have to do with Science? "Craftsmanship" is great and all, but science education in this country is appalling. Basic scientific literary among adults is just wretched (see the climate change denial mob or creationists) and we're showing up some, admittedly spiffy, renaissance faire outfits? Why not a "Mythbusters" exhibit? The kids I work with ADORE that show. Or a "Life After People" display? This is a toy commercial/movie trailer in exhibition form.