Mario mentioned that some museums have My Space pages where they post public programs, host blogs, and connect with visitors. Great idea!
So I hopped over and did some searches. Did you know that museums have genders? I didn’t, but apparently My Space users must identify their gender, and so the museums must also (along with divulging their age). See if you think the associated genders are appropriate.
American Museum of Natural History (NY): male
Walker Art Center (MN): female
Brooklyn Museum (NY): female
Warhol Museum (PA): male
Hammer Museum (CA): female
Historic Hannah House (IN): male
Ohio Historical Society (OH): female
Interesting.
I wonder if its simply the gender of the person who created/signed up for the page, or if a different thought process was involved.
Comment by Jeremy — January 12, 2007 @ 9:38 am
[...] Sheila wonders if museums have genders, as she finds some museum pages on MySpace with a specific gender filled out in the profile. The Warhol museum is male, while the Hamner Museum in California is female. It would be interesting to compare how all kinds of groups and institutions using MySpace use the gender field in the profile. [...]
Pingback by Museums have Gender? | ClioWeb — January 12, 2007 @ 9:50 am
It could be. In the case of the Warhol Museum, it makes sense that it would be identified as male since it houses the works of Mr. Warhol. THe Hammer Museum showcases the collection of Armand Hammer, male, so the rule breaks in that case. I don’t know, it is interesting.
Comment by Sheila Brennan — January 12, 2007 @ 9:57 am
There is also the Museum of Contemporary Art on MySpace which is gendered female.
Great stuff!
Comment by Jim — January 12, 2007 @ 10:42 am
Thanks Sheila to mention my original post. I correct the link to your blog that was change. Please remember to add the blog to the museums blog web ring, link on the right side of my blog
all the best, Mario
Comment by Mario Bucolo — January 14, 2007 @ 3:33 pm