Korean term “인제책 (in-je-chaek)” refers to the low cord barriers used in museums and galleries to keep visitors at a respectful distance from artworks. Also called museum barriers or stanchions (and product names like Q-Cord™), these 40–100 cm-high ropes connect metal supports to create a subtle, polite boundary that preserves views and prevents touching. Their low height also follows accessibility rules (e.g., the Americans with Disabilities Act requires leading edges below 27 inches/68.5 cm so visually impaired visitors detect obstacles with a cane). The barriers rely on psychological deterrence—just a thin line can make people feel they shouldn’t cross—while sometimes museums must accept risk to honor an artist’s intent, as with a 2022 installation in Korea where lack of barriers led to damage of blown-glass bricks. The National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art contributed ideas and uses such guidance in workshops inviting socially isolated youth to reconnect through museum experiences.
