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In the Smithsonian's traveling exhibit
celebrating their 150th anniversary, all the cases were lighted with fiber optic
lights. The advantages included: No UV light (of course) and no
build-up of heat within the case. It was a bit of a challenge to provide
well-balanced light over the pieces, especially the costumes, as the light
fixtures were mounted in the ceilings of the cases and thus cast shadows further
down on the dressed forms.
I am sure there have been many improvements on
fiber optic lighting since then and I would definitely pursue it.
I recently saw an exhibit of Islamic textiles in
Brussels. The textiles were laid out in stone "coffins" with fiber optic
lighting mounted under the "lip" (around all edges). Some were even set on
motion detectors so the lights only came on when a viewer approached the
case. There were also wall cases with costumes. I will locate my
photos and send them in another e-mail.
Take care.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, October 22, 2008 10:22
AM
Subject: fiber optic lighting
At The Textile Museum
we are presently looking at a new display case that would be used for textiles
and costumes. We are investigating different lighting systems. Would
anyone who has used fiber optic lighting for textile display be interested to
share their experience with us? Thank you
Esther
Méthé
Margaret Wing Dodge
Chair in Conservation
Chief
Conservator
The Textile Museum
2320 S Street
NW
Washington DC 20008
tel: 202.667.0441
x18
fax:
202.493.0994
e-mail:
emethe@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
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