The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing of Primitive Art at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is an excellent example of how an architecturally beautiful structure can be disastrous as a museum exhibition area from the conservation point of view. A large collection of Oceanic material, all made of light-sensitive organic materials, was to be displayed in a gallery one side of which was made entirely of glass. The ceiling and roof are also made of glass. The type of glass used is discussed; the visible and ultraviolet light readings obtained are given. A translucent grey screening was installed to cover the glass which significantly reduced the visible light levels, but not the ultraviolet. Further screening in the form of ultraviolet absorbing film was applied to the glass panes of the ceiling. While considerable progress was made in reducing the light levels, the ideal conditions were not reached. None of these compromises would have been necessary had conservation played an active role in the planning of the wing right from the start.