Exhibiting interaction: Conduct and collaboration in museums and galleries

This article explores how individuals, both alone and together, examine exh ibits in museums and galleries. Drawing on ethnomethodology and conversatio n analysis, it focuses on the ways in which visitors encounter and experien ce exhibits and how their activities are organized, at least in part, with intimate regard to the actions of others in the domain, both companions and "strangers." This study contributes to the long-standing concerns of symbo lic interactionism with (mutual) attention and involvement, materiality and social relations, and interpersonal communication. The data consist of vid eo recordings of naturally occurring action and interaction in various muse ums and galleries.