It is an unwritten rule (and sometimes written) that you arenandrsquo;t allowed to touch anything in a museum. This includes paintings, sculptures, and even furniture. Often the furniture in a museum is a very rare, perhaps even a one of a kind original piece of studio furniture. So it makes since that a museum wouldnandrsquo;t want any wear and tear on a piece of furniture because they are trying to preserve it from a historical perspective.
However at a furniture trade show, companies are getting their name brands established and are selling pieces of furniture to interior designers and to retail stores. So it is natural that a potential customer would want to sit and to be able to experience the piece of furniture to its fullest potential. Sometimes certain companies have andldquo;no photographyandrdquo; signs in an attempt to try to keep their products from being copied (which I also personally find as a particularly ridiculous effort with the internet and with company websites).
Istumbled upon some interesting show booth signage recently, that I have yet to come across. The booth had andldquo;do not sitandrdquo; and andldquo;do not touchandrdquo; signs on every possible piece of furniture and accessory. For what purpose? Are they trying to esteem their furniture to such a category as fine art? Usually it is the job of outside media outlets and museums to escalate any andldquo;functional artandrdquo; into the category of museum show piece. I find this particular booth approach as condescending and an ineffective way to advertising products.