Posted by Jerry Silverman on January 16, 1999 at 21:56:09:
One question we haven't specifically addressed yet (except by implication) is: how many rug conferences should there really be?
I suppose it has something to do with what we're each looking for in a conference.
For those who go mainly for the "dealers' row" more is better.
For those who go mainly for the socializing and the enjoyment that goes with being in intimate contact with great rugs more is also better.
For those who go mainly for the exhibitions more is better, too.
But for those who go for the lectures more doesn't work. There isn't all that much ground-breaking research in rug studies. Qualified speakers are few and readily diluted by too many opportunities and not enough content.
With this in mind, I'd like to propose a new kind of rug conference. It would have the best of what people go to conferences for: a dealers' row, exhibitions, and as many receptions as can find sponsors. The days can be filled with show-and-tells, organized by rug type and supervised by a panel of experts on each type. Now that I think of it, perhaps the show-and-tells can be coordinated with books published that year - the author could participate on the panel and use the session to discuss his/her book, possibly bringing some examples. (As you know, each year there are a couple dozen rug books published, a few of which are worth much further discussion. This would be an ideal venue for that.)
What do you think?
Speculatively,
-Jerry-