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. 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 1

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. 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 2

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 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 3

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 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 4

LONG AGO 1890 Exhibitions used only objects, cases, labels and walking around. What did it feel like? Notice the aisle size. 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 5 photos/133.jpg

NOT SO LONG AGO 1970 Any difference? It is clear that many museums have retained the classic model with only minor modifications. 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 6 images/1970.jpg

EXAMPLES OF EXHIBIT TECHNIQUES A short series of exhibition techniques follows. It is far from exhaustive. 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 7

LOTS OF PICTURES -- NO TEXT Easy to do Makes a statement Reinforces idea 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 8 images/exhibition.jpg

LOTS OF PICTURES NO TEXT -- MORE Can be art show Can be designed Presents multiple evidence 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 9 4/exhibition.jpg

Few pictures no text Dramatic Walls flexible Focus attention 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 10 images/exhib_img2.jpg, Catherine Wagner & IDDA,1993

MULTI-MEDIA & TEXT Uses all types of exhibition strategies Expensive Exciting, not restful 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 11 content/exhibition.jpg

TRAVELING, HANDS ON, TEXT, OBJECTS Easily packed Multiple learning avenues Place for human interaction 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 12 exhibition.jpg

CASES, OBJECTS, TEXT Conservation, security considerations Case and lighting design makes aesthetics Contemplative, offers close looking Often repetitive and fatiguing 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 13

CASES, OBJECTS, TEXT -- MORE -- AND WHEN THE SUBJECT INTERESTS THE USER, THE INSTALLATION BE ORDINARY. 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 14 diana/images/exhibition.jpg

REAL PLACE, TEXT, IMAGES Authentic Atmospheric Interesting Environment Sensory Special l 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 15

TRYING WITHOUT RESOURCES Money matters but not unduly. Greece 1974 Explain details Give an example Exercise to re- enforce learning 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 16 POIGNANT ATMOSPHERIC WHAT DOES IT NEED? CAN WE HELP WITHOUT EXTRA MONEY ? /00/lm jpg

Atmospheric case II Organized Different levels 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 17 Powerhouse -- australia

Dress Up – Role Play Great fun Superficial? Creative Maintenance 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 18 images /Exhibits/ Safari%20Pirates.jpg plantpath.wisc.edu/~glf/newest/ children- museum-garden.jpg

Hands on -- Experiential Experiential and engaging Fosters personal learning Difficult to successfully create Often facilitates person to person interaction. Maintenance. 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 19 images/pdx05.jpg images/group_visits.jpg.

Evocative Stage Set “If These Walls Could Talk” C. Maxx Stevens, Artist, Educator, Arts Administrator Boise Art Museum, First Peoples Conference September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 20 ifthesewalls2.jpg

Teaching, host, tactile Human interaction More object protection Explaination, educational Administrative, personnel costs 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 21 volunteer.html

Performance Reserve space Site lines Administrative, performers cost Engaging, experiential Group interactive 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 22 IMG_0311.JPG

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, September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 23

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. 17 September 2015 Elaine Heumann Gurian 24