exhibit design

Today I am offering my own hypothetical design plan of the First Person Museum exhibit. It will be based on materials produced by First Person Arts. For a base I have used Alice Parman’s “Exhibit Makeovers: Do-it-yourself Exhibit Planning”, from the AASLH.

Step 1a. Mission

Every object has many stories hiding just below the surface. (Note: History is just another story in this mission)

1b take home ideas

Objects mean different things to different people

Wow! I didn’t know you could learn that from an object.

First Person Arts cares about everyday stories.

1c storyline

The First Person Museum tells the story of the hidden meaning of objects. A seemingly ordinary everyday object can tell powerful stories; about the owner and about history.

Step 2 Organize into thought process.

The objects will be exhibited by category as much as possible. They are organized into three areas. These are clothing, accessories (both jewelry and toys), and kitchen/office. For the clothing, a handmade item is juxtaposed with a machine made one, subconsciously saying that equally important stories can come from machine or hand (the comparison will not be discussed in the exhibit). The theme throughout will be about hiding (objects and stories).

Step 3. Inventory the most important facts

The most important fact is that there is no single “true” story. Equal billing will be given to both the history, and the personal story of an object.

Step 4 Engage and Motivate

Whenever possible interactive questions will be used before the story or history is seen. On the top panel, enough information will be given to speculate the answer to the question. A flip-up panel would then be used, giving the answer at the top, followed by the story.

My other idea is a series of interactive areas. As much as I would like to have the audience interact with the objects on display, I realize that most are not “bullet-proof” and would not hold up. Instead the interactive areas will contain replicas of the items on display, similar items to encourage play, as well as photos and videos of the object.

A third element is a “make your own story”. A visitor could chose to have their own “take home” version of the exhibit. A photo will be taken, the personal story entered on a computer, and during certain hour an expert will be there to provide a research component.

Step 5 “Look and Feel”

This museum will have a playful feel of discovery to it. Each item will be in a place you might conceivably find it outside a museum (a few are a stretch). Many objects are hidden away, and the visitor must “discover” the object before discovering the story.

Step 6

Blueprint is embedded below. Made with floorplanner.

Note: I must give credit where credit is due (although I didn’t realize I was borrowing them until the end). Parts of this exhibit idea are borrowed from elements of “It Sprang From the River: Everyday Items with Maritime Secrets” at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia.