What The Visitors Think
A recent MORI survey shows that 91% of the visitors to the 'Sensation' exhibition at the Royal Academy felt that the gallery has a responsibility to present art of all types even if it shocks and causes offence.
Three quarters of visitors felt that it was appropriate for the Royal Academy to stage this exhibition with just over half saying it was "totally appropriate".
Nearly three quarters (72%) of visitors thought that none of the works should have been left out of the exhibition. However, 9% felt 'Zygotic Acceleration' by Jake and Dinos should not have been shown, largely because it is degrading or exploits children or disgusting or offensive.
Eight per cent felt 'Myra' by Marcus Harvey should not have been shown largely because the crime is too recent and upsetting for relatives or that the painting is unnecessary. Six per cent of people questioned said 'Tragic Anatomies' by Jake and Dinos Chapman should not have been shown largely because it is disgusting and offensive as well as encouraging paedophilia. Five percent felt 'A Thousand Years' by Damien Hirst should not have been shown largely because it is disgusting and offensive and had no artistic value.
When asked what emotions people felt after viewing the exhibition, the following were given:
| intrigued |  51 |
| intellectually stimulated | 41 |
| contemplative | 28 |
| rewarded | 16 |
| bored | 16 |
| shocked | 15 |
| disgusted | 13 |
A third of the visitors said that they had enjoyed the exhibition more than they expected and were glad they came.
Technical details: MORI interviewed a representative sample of 612 visitors as they were leaving the exhibition. Fieldwork took place face-to-face between 13-28 October 1997.
