chasing rabbits stateside

"We hope you have a memorable experience", the guide stepped back and the lift doors closed. When they re-opened we were confronted with a huge, graphic photo. The effect was to silence the giggling, flippant school kids that I had shared the lift with. I was in the Holocaust museum here in DC, the word 'memorable' isn't enough to describe the lasting impact. It is one of the most powerful and well thought through exhibitions I have ever seen. Nothing is hidden from you - you are faced with some of the most gruesome, detailed images of the seemingly endless atrocities, all of which I believe it is essential that we see. There is nothing more disturbing than mans inhumanity to man and everyone should be made to take a close loo at some of the videos and photos on display and hear the voices of those who survived. It might go someway to trying to change the world in which we live.

The Holocaust Museum has an interesting backdrop in the form of Washingotn DC. A city filled with reminders of war/death/brutality. It doesn't feel like the various memorials are simply that - a way of remembering the past, but an attempt to convince the country of its own greatness (although I think this is largely because of the huge numbers of statues etc). Yesterday evening I happened across the 'Twilight Tattoo'. For those of you familiar with the Edinburgh Tattoo forget it. This was like a west end show combined with Pop Idol in military uniforms !!! An utterly unsubtle event that had the hundreds of school children and American tourists screaming and cheering. It, sadly, came across as a desperate, ill conceived attempt to glamorise war and convince people that America is worth dying for (18 year olds were on stage saying as much!). Those in uniform were so young and enthusiatic, I found myself wondering if they might make better soldiers if they all went to University and got a history degree. Although it's more likely that youth and ignorance will make them the ideal soldiers for a country with the US's foreign policy. It's such a strong (and Disney-like) contrast to the America I have been seeing in the company of my friends and hosts. DC is like a bizarre theme park - I'm actually quite glad of this as it means that its 'unrealness' does nothing to diminish the positive, friendly, generous, exciting experiences I have had thus far.

On a 'professional' note, and from the stand point of someone with an MA in Cultural Policy and Management, I have never seen such well designed and executed museums and galleries as those I have visited in DC. The needs of both the work/exhibitions and those of the visitor have been taken into account. There is a massive amount of information for the visitor to take in, but there are plenty of opportunites for you to find the peace and quiet needed to consider all that you have taken on board. OK - essay over !!

posted by KP @ 4:48 PM