30 August

Today we began working out how our entire exhibition might look once we have installed in it the Museums temporary galleries.

Each group had been working together on their own ideas for some time. While there had been lots of discussions, some arguments and even a few tears, so far each group only had to think about their own topic. Today, we began to talk about how we might layout our objects on display and also where in the room each display might go.

Nicholas, Imy and Clare talk about their layout

Each group had to think about their colleagues making separate exhibits, and also make decisions that would impact how the audience would experience the exhibition. What would the audience experience if our two TVs were close to each other? Where should the display cases be so that visitors can see them and move around them? How might different displays look next to each other?

Each group sketch out their display, and then we tried out the ideas in the model of the space. Some groups had to negotiate their space with others. This process also sparked off some new ideas also, with requests such as ‘Sam, can we have a red carpet?’

Eleanor sketches out a concept on the whiteboard

We also brought one of our large display cases to the classroom, to help the junior curators understand the type of display case they would be using and work out a plan for display. We talked about displaying objects at different heights and using the space creatively. The Robot group mocked up a great display using print outs of collection objects and some Perspex stands.

The robot group has a plan for their display

At the end of the afternoon we had a layout of our display and some firm restrictions on the space each group would use. This allows us to put restrictions on the exhibits from now on, as any changes that a group makes will impact on other groups.

The concept for the placement of each of the seven exhibits to create a cohesive exhibition.