Reader, my first blog.
I am resisting the urge for self depredation by opening with an apology for all the trivialities, grammatical errors, spelling mistakes etc which will rear their ugly heads over the blogs to come (I realise this is a passive way of making the same point!) My family reminds me annually of my linguistic errors (‘Speeling Book’ – aged approx 8) and it keeps me in my place as the youngest member of my generation. With that in mind I am walking primrose and hope you will forgive annoyances, blogging faux pas, typos and the like. I don’t want to aggravate your inner-stickler!
I recently attended a training course on ways of interpreting artwork for visitors. The tutor described a theory which he called The Agapanthus Effect, although I am sure there is an equivalent in psychology. He began by asking us if we knew what agapanthus was. As my mum is more than a little green fingered I had heard of it and had to sit out of the exercise. For those that hadn't he asked what images that word conjured. Many pointed out the linguistic similarities between ‘agapanthus’ and ‘panther’ and said it brought to mind a fierce, sleek animal or the colour black which was menacing and frightening. Others said it sounded ‘poisonous,’ but in each case everyone agreed that it was a sinister and unsettling word. He then told us that a friend of his had wanted to keep people off her front lawn so she put up a sign saying ‘keep off the grass.’ People continued to walk on her lawn. Next she put up a sign saying ‘beware of the dog.’ People continued to walk on the lawn. Finally, she wrote ‘beware agapanthus,’ and it had the desired effect. This story (hopefully not apocryphal) illustrates the fear of the unknown and it is my job as an exhibition curator to create the gallery environment as a familiar space and give access, both intellectual and physical, to the exhibits.
As I work in art galleries I find them comfortable and relaxing environments (it would be a stressful career if I didn’t!) But as I sat down to write my first blog I encountered the Agapanthus Effect. I don’t know about blogging etiquette, how many words are too many, how many words are too few, how to get people to read my blog, do I want people to read my blog? What if my musings are torn to shreds?!?! It is this that has put me off writing thus far, but if I am to encourage others to overcome their fears, I guess I should do the same.
Here goes....
P.S. Agapanthus is a blue flower which kinda looks like a firework. I realise I should probably include a picture. First faux pas.
