From: DCS4@psuvm.psu.edu (Dave Shaffer)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.startrek.fandom
Subject: Smithsonian visit report
Date: 15 Apr 92 14:46:15 GMT
Organization: Penn State University

I had the opportunity to visit the Smithsonian's Star Trek exhibit
last Saturday, April 11. In this report, I will not attempt to list
everything there or detail how to secure tickets in advance, as
that information has appeared elsewhere, but I will attempt to
summarize my impressions of the exhibit for anyone interested. If
you do plan to attend, do get your tickets in advance, though, as
the folks at the counter say the daily passes vanish very early
in the day. The building was crowded with people I overheard
saying they *wished* they had been able to get passes, so take
that into account if you plan to go.

I thought that the exhibit was great fun. You might not learn a great
deal about Star Trek, especially if you are already a fan to any
degree. But you will appreciate the way the museum placed the series
in the proper historical context. Episodes tended to be grouped by
general subject along with other items from that period (a cover from
LIFE magazone, for example) addressing the same subject. Subjects
ranged from racial intolerance to sex on TV. Most, if not all episodes
received some treatment with both text and photos. Many had props
displayed, and some had letters, notes, or scripts with lots of
handwriting, providing insight into the development of each show.

The general philosophy of the Smithsonian in presenting the exhibit
was captured well in a small card distributed at the Museum Shops.
I've attached the text of that card to the end of my report. Many
of the Trek items in the shops bore signs stating "Sold Out". Much
of the materials could have been purchased cheaper elsewhere anyway,
but some appear to have an insignia specific to the Smithsoian
exhibit. Suffice it to say that souvenirs can be purchased.

One of the highlights of the exhibit is a continuously playing
30-minute video about Trek. Most everyone you would expect is
in the video, with lots of film clips too. One appearance that
surprised me was Harlan Ellison (sp?), the science fiction author
who developed the script for what is arguably the best episode
of the series, "City on the Edge of Forever", the one that starred
Joan Collins as peace activist Edith Keeler. I had understood
that Ellison was not pleased because of changes that had been made
to the script, but his comments were all positive.

The costumes on display appear to be in excellent condition. I was
really surprised by that. It was kind of amazing that much of the
stuff was saved at all, much less that it was still in such good
shape. The navigation console, however, appeared to be in just
wretched condition. (All those battles, I guess...) Some of the
props looked really awful up close. It was actually funny to see
some of the things now, given all the changes in technology. What
was very impressive (at least to me, way back then) didn't look
very believable now. But then that doesn't allow for all the
changes in technology in the past quarter century, not to mention
a performance concept called the "suspension of disbelief". We
all know they are actors holding silly gizmos, but we are able to
temporarily suspend our disbelief and accept the characters so
we can enjoy the show. Models fit this pattern, too. One case
holds an original Klingon ship about a foot long. A movie-era
model is about three times as large and *much* more detailed. It
provided an interesting comparison of the special effects and
how they have progressed through the years.

There is a transporter pad with working lights and sound and
carboard stand-ups of Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. You can shoot a
video of a friend on the pad with the lights and the sound in
the background. Consider the possibilities! There is also a
chair similar to the one used by Kirk. It appears to be made
of plywood and naughahyde (sp?) and you can sit in it and have
your picture taken -- by a freind, there is no photographer
and no extra charge. That was neat, too. Frankly, the command
chair felt pretty good. Like I should have decided something
important when I sat down in it, or at least looked dramatic and
tried to overact about something....

Speaking of photos, you can take them throughout the exhibit, but
there are some obstacles. Most of the really good stuff is behind
glass, naturally, and the lighting is fairly good, but not great. Be
sure to take along some light-sensitive film. I shot 400 ASA at 1000
and asked the lab to push process it to bring out the shots. The
meter readings all looked pretty good with those settings. The
problem is that the glass makes use of a flash pretty questionable.
You might get a whole roll of great pictures of your own flash
reflecting in the glass. I'm not a wiz-bang photographer, really,
so maybe my solution won't work either, or maybe there is a better
answer. Some experienced shutterbug might comment further...

I've probably rambled long enough here. I hope the information was
helpful to anyone interested in learning more without being so
detailed as to spoil any of the fun. I want to conclude by saying
something about the importance of the exhibit before I attach the
text of the museum shop card. I don't want to sound hoaky here, but
there was something moving about waiting in line in the hall beneath
a Star Trek banner, looking out the windows at the Capitol Building
and various monuments. Completely aside from its content, the exhibit
at the Smithsonian is a significant coming-of-age for my favorite
TV show and yours. TV is only popular art, after all, seldom anything
of lasting importance. I believe that the Trek mythology does symbolize
more than that for a variety of reasons. I won't launch into that
speech, and besides, many of you probably already agree. Just let me
say that the Smithsonian exhibit, in my opinion, is a milestone in
the history of the Star Trek story. 'Nuff said, right?

If anyone has any comments or questions, don't hesitate to reply.
I'll answer if I can. In the meantime, don't miss the chance to
see the exhibit if you can. Here comes the text from the card...

-----<begin information from Museum Shop card>-----

"Star Trek" at the Smithsonian

The National Air and Space Museum of the Smithsonian Institution
encourages space research and exploration. It acknowledges the
role of "Star Trek", the popular television show and movie series,
in promoting public interest in space exploration.

"Star Trek" memoribilia is featured both in the Rocketry and Space
Flight Gallery of the National Air and Space Museum and in the
collections at our Silver Hill facility. The most recognizable
artifact is the 11-ft. long original model of the Starship
Enterprise, used in filming the television series. In addition,
a tiny Enterprise trapped in a lucite block evokes the "Catspaw"
episode while models of a Tholian ship and Klingon battlecruiser
conjure up images of Enterprise battles

"Star Trek", the exhibition, opens at the National Air and Space
Museum in February 1992 and runs to September 1992. This major
retrospective examines the historical, political, social, and
cultural issues and themes of the 1960's that were incorporated
into weekly Star Trek episodes. The Museum Shop offers books, toys,
videos, and selected gifts to compliment this exhibit.

All income from Museum Shops sales supports the chartered
educational activities of the Smithsonian Institution.

-----<end, information care from Museum Shop>-----
                                                ___
David C. Shaffer                   ___....-----'---`-----....___
Penn State DuBois            =========================================
DCS4 at PSUVM                       ___`---..._______...---'___
                                   (___)      _|_|_|_      (___)
                                     \\____.-'_.---._`-.____//
   "Picard and Riker in '92"           ~~~~`.__`---'__.'~~~~
Xref: sparky rec.arts.startrek.fandom:577 rec.arts.sf.misc:1301