MAGNETS WITHIN MUSEUM DISPLAY QUESTIONNAIRE

Research Collated by: Rosie Chamberlin

The aim of this questionnaire is to gain a picture of the typical method of magnetic display used within the museum, as well as the typical fibre type of textiles that are displayed using magnets, and the typical environmental conditions that the objects are exposed to throughout the duration of display. The information gathered by way of interview or questionnaire will inform and enable the replication of a real life display situation during the experimental phase of the research project:
An investigation into whether the compressive forces exerted on a textile artifact suspended in a magnetic display system causes damage to the objects fibres and/or weave.
All participation is greatly appreciated and each participant will receive a summary of the results from the research once the project has reached completion.

1. Please provide your name, position and the name of the institution that you work in

2. At your institution do you know of magnets being used for the mounting/display of textile artefacts?

(If Yes continue to question 3)

Yes
No
other Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.

3. What kind of textile artefacts are mounted/displayed using magnets?

Two-dimensional Costume
Three-dimensional Costume
Flat textiles
Embroidery
Upholstery
Bark cloth
other Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.

4. What kind of size are the textile artefacts mounted with magnets at your institution?

(please give an indication of the largest kind of object displayed using this method)

5. What are the textile artefacts mounted with magnets composed of?

6. What type of magnet does your institution typically use for mounting textile artefacts?

7. Is the type, size or amount of magnet(s) used changed depending on the suspended object?

Yes
No
other Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.

8. Are magnets used temporarily or for long-term display?

(Please state the typical display duration)

9. Please give an indication of the typical environmental conditions during this time (i.e. temperature and RH%)

Controlled
Uncontrolled
other Please enter an 'other' value for this selection.

10. Why did your institution decide to use magnets for displaying textile artefacts?

11. Are they found to be effective?

12. Have any adverse effects been noticed on the magnetically mounted textiles?

13. Additional information

(Please add any further comments detailing your experiences/ thoughts/opinions of magnetic display for textile artefacts within a cultural heritage environment)