Masterclass / Skill SessionMeeting Room 2

Developing an Exhibition: how do we go about it?

Brian CrozierCo-principal, Crozier Schutt Associates museum consultants

Brian CrozierBrian Crozier

MAGSQ Conference 2011MAGSQ Conference 2011

MackayMackay

Collections to exhibitions: the whole package

What is the difference between: StorageOpen storageAn exhibition?

Storage…Stored for efficient

accessStored to maximise

conservation outcomesLike with like, not

themesStore labels only

Queensland Museum, Social History

Open storage…Storage but viewableProbably types of objectProbably not themedLabelledNot designedProbably no interpretive

panels

Queensland Museum Inquiry Centre

ExhibitionTelling a storyThemedA variety of objects but

not so many as to crowd

Balanced use of interpretive techniques – labels, images, maybe other media, interactives

Full suite of labelsMacArthur Museum, Brisbane

Walking while chewing gum…Museums do more than

one thing at once and they need space to do them in

The 40:40:20 rule – balanced activities

Making room for thematic, changing exhibitions

Making room for collection work and administration and reception

“Queensland Icons”. Qld Museum, 2006

ThemingWhat categories of

objects and images does your museum hold?

What stories can you tell?

What are your key objects? Watch presented to Sister Annie

Miller by the Duke of Edinburgh, 1868, after he was wounded in an assassination attempt. Nursing Museum

Collection management supports exhibitionsExhibitions grow more

easily from well documented, accessible collections:

Donor interviewsGood descriptionsAccessible objects and

informationSubject filesThe story of two emu

eggs

Candlestick holder, NMA

What is an exhibition?

A lot of stuff?No stuff?Objects and images

linked by a themeInterpretation and

communication aided by design

South Burnett Energy Centre, Nanango

Labels are the bonesThink of exhibitions working

through three sets of labels

The front label (what the exhibition is about)

Sub-theme labels (paragraphs in the story)

Object and image labels (how the objects and images relate to the theme set out in the front label) “Sharing their legacy”.

Queensland Museum, 2005

What makes a good exhibition?Think aboutGood exhibitions you

have seen – what was good about them?

Exhibitions you have been involved with – what worked and what didn’t?

How much is enough (space, objects, stories)?

“The courage of ordinary men”, QM 2008: 6 objects!

How are exhibitions different?How is an exhibition

different fromA bookA filmA television documentaryA live performance?A blend of mediums…Levels of communication –

information, emotions, tactile objects, sounds, colours, mood, tone…

“Women of the West”, Queensland Museum1993

Practicalities: exhibition development It helps to have a process…Consultation through reference groupsClearly defined rolesClear stages of developmentSomeone has to drive it

Practicalities:the process

The content kit:The exhibition without the designA brief for the designerLabels and imagesWhat about media?Interactives?

Practicalities: laying out the exhibitionThe importance of space – give it room, less is

moreCommunicating themes – front panel to sub-theme

labels to object/image labelsIntegration of elements to tell a storyReference points: panels, key items or imagesCirculation routes

Practicalities: panelsPanels are possible!Panels inform,

punctuate, separate, structure, brighten

How to design a panel: Brian’s Ringsfield House effort

Practicalities:labellingLabels are the core - they’re where the information isTypes of labels:

FrontSub-themeObject/image

How long?Who for?The label structure: it’s like a newspaper article

HeadlineTopic paragraphBody text

Practicalities:labellingWrite your own…

More information and all or most of the handouts for this workshop are available from our website:

http://www.museumandhistoryservices.com/resources.htm