Let's Get Critical

Interview

Crème de Menthe and Armor: The Josiah Tell Interview

By Andy Van Slyke

A wide-ranging conversation with critic and contributor Josiah Tell on taste, cultural institutions, and the strange persistence of armor as metaphor.

Museum visits often raise the question of what we owe in return for access to culture and history. The concept of a suggested donation strikes a balance between keeping institutions open to all and acknowledging the costs of preservation, exhibition, and education. Many galleries and archives rely on these voluntary contributions to sustain their programming, from rotating exhibitions to conservation work. Visitors are invited to give what they feel is appropriate, making art and historical artifacts accessible regardless of financial means. This model reflects a broader commitment to shared cultural stewardship, where the value of a museum experience is recognized without rigid admission barriers.

Archives and libraries are among the most vital yet understated pillars of cultural memory. They hold the letters, photographs, records, and ephemera that tell the stories of communities, movements, and individuals. Without these collections, much of what we know about the past would be fragmented or lost entirely. Suggested donations help these institutions maintain climate-controlled storage, digitize fragile materials, and train staff in proper preservation techniques. Supporting an archive means investing in the raw materials of history itself, ensuring that future generations can access primary sources that illuminate everything from local life to global events.

Interviews with artists, curators, and scholars offer an intimate window into the creative process and the ideas that drive exhibition-making. Conversations reveal the motivations behind a particular series of works, the challenges of working with certain materials, or the historical references that inform a contemporary piece. These dialogues deepen our understanding of art beyond the wall text or catalog essay. They remind us that every object on display emerged from a living, thinking person grappling with questions of form, meaning, and context. In this way, the interview becomes a form of critical writing in its own right, complementing the visual experience.

The relationship between museums and the public is continuously evolving, shaped by changing expectations around access, representation, and accountability. Institutions are increasingly reflecting on whose stories they tell, whose art they exhibit, and how they engage with diverse audiences. Suggested donations are one small part of a larger conversation about equity in cultural spaces. They signal an openness to visitors from all economic backgrounds while still inviting participation in the institution's mission. When museums, libraries, and archives embrace this model, they acknowledge that culture is not a commodity to be priced but a shared inheritance that thrives when it is widely accessible.