Exhibition Strategies 2008

An orientation power point to begin the conversation on exhibition thinking and implementation without regard to content. Useful for:
Novice students and as an orientation to create some common language for further discussion. To be used with discussion of audience needs, learning styles, exhibition techniques.
Elaine Heumann Gurian

1 16 March 2014

Exhibitions
Can be about any subject as long as someone is interested in it. Must be enhanced by three-dimensional material. The exhibition creator must be passionate. The material must answer some overt or unexpressed question.

2 16 March 2014

Elaine Heumann Gurian

Styles

It is important to know as many design strategies (including interactivity and technology) as possible and then choose the ones that fit best for each application. Copy from everyone! Visitors have multiple ways of learning. Therefore always create more than one entry to understanding. Modulate the levels of activity, noise. Quiet, etc. everything should not be high involvement

Elaine Heumann Gurian

3 16 March 2014

Money matters -But not as much as you think. Technology is expensive Tactility does not have to use technology. Good design can be used for any kind of material

Elaine Heumann Gurian

4 16 March 2014

LONG AGO 1890

www.smithsonianlegacies.si.edu/ photos/133.jpg

Exhibitions used only objects, cases, labels and walking around. What did it feel like? Notice the aisle size.
5 16 March 2014

Elaine Heumann Gurian

NOT SO LONG AGO 1970

www.museum.vic.gov.au/history/ images/1970.jpg

Any difference? It is clear that many museums have retained the classic model with only minor modifications.

Elaine Heumann Gurian

6 16 March 2014

EXAMPLES OF EXHIBIT TECHNIQUES

A short series of exhibition techniques follows. It is far from exhaustive.

Elaine Heumann Gurian

7 16 March 2014

LOTS OF PICTURES -- NO TEXT

Easy to do Makes a statement Reinforces idea

www.macromedia.com/.../osamu/ images/exhibition.jpg

Elaine Heumann Gurian

8 16 March 2014

LOTS OF PICTURES NO TEXT -- MORE

Can be art show Can be designed Presents multiple evidence

www.arcspace.com/kk_ann/ 4/exhibition.jpg 9 16 March 2014

Elaine Heumann Gurian

Few pictures no text

www.randolphdesigns.com/ images/exhib_img2.jpg , Catherine Wagner & IDDA ,1993

Dramatic Walls flexible Focus attention

Elaine Heumann Gurian 10 16 March 2014

MULTI-MEDIA & TEXT Uses all types of exhibition strategies Expensive Exciting, not restful

www.ambs.com.au/images/ content/exhibition.jpg

Elaine Heumann Gurian

11 16 March 2014

TRAVELING, HANDS ON, TEXT, OBJECTS

Easily packed Multiple learning avenues Place for human interaction

www.dpie.com/images/ exhibition.jpg

Elaine Heumann Gurian

12 16 March 2014

CASES, OBJECTS, TEXT

Conservation, security considerations Case and lighting design makes aesthetics Contemplative, offers close looking Often repetitive and fatiguing
13 16 March 2014

Elaine Heumann Gurian

CASES, OBJECTS, TEXT -- MORE

www.cnn.com/.../people/shows/ diana/images/exhibition.jpg

-- AND WHEN THE SUBJECT INTERESTS THE USER, THE INSTALLATION BE ORDINARY.
Elaine Heumann Gurian 14 16 March 2014

REAL PLACE, TEXT, IMAGES Authentic Atmospheric Interesting Environment Sensory Special l
www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/ .../images/exhibition.jpg

Elaine Heumann Gurian

15 16 March 2014

TRYING WITHOUT RESOURCES Money matters but not unduly. Greece 1974

Explain details Give an example Exercise to reenforce learning

www.culture.gr/4/42/421/42101/ 421019/00/lm011901.jpg

POIGNANT ATMOSPHERIC WHAT DOES IT NEED? CAN WE HELP WITHOUT EXTRA MONEY ? Elaine Heumann Gurian

16 16 March 2014

Atmospheric case II

www.phm.gov.au/exhibits/archive/ Powerhouse -- australia

Organized Different levels

Elaine Heumann Gurian 17 16 March 2014

Dress Up Role Play

Great fun Superficial? Creative Maintenance

plantpath.wisc.edu/~glf/newest/ childrenmuseum-garden.jpg

www.wowmuseum.com/images/Exhibits/ Safari%20Pirates.jpg

Elaine Heumann Gurian

18 16 March 2014

Hands on -- Experiential

www.pova.com/visitors/visguide/ images/pdx05.jpg

Experiential and engaging Fosters personal learning Difficult to successfully create Often facilitates person to person interaction. Maintenance.
19 16 March 2014

www.dupagechildrensmuseum.org/ images/group_visits.jpg .

Elaine Heumann Gurian

Evocative Stage Set

www.boisestate.edu/firstnations/ ifthesewalls2.jpg

If These Walls Could Talk C. Maxx Stevens, Artist, Educator, Arts Administrator Boise Art Museum, First Peoples Conference 2002
20 16 March 2014

Elaine Heumann Gurian

Teaching, host, tactile

Human interaction More object protection Explaination, educational Administrative, personnel costs

www.thechildrensmuseum.org/ volunteer.html
Elaine Heumann Gurian 21 16 March 2014

Performance

www.cmany.org/images/ IMG_0311.JPG

Reserve space Site lines Administrative, performers cost Engaging, experiential Group interactive

Elaine Heumann Gurian 22 16 March 2014

PARTICIPATORY/ SHARING AUTHORITY

Social Networks Associated with webs Tagging and clouds Talk back boards and audience engagement. Levels of audience engagement see Simon, Nina , The Participatory Museum, 2010.

23 16 March 2014

Elaine Heumann Gurian

LAYERING
The most effective exhibitions have layers of available understanding to cater to different learning needs and expertise. Possible layers could include:

Orientation and definations. Tactility and interaction. More About access to additional information and additional study objects. Technology Audience participation.
Elaine Heumann Gurian

24 16 March 2014