Trends in Museum Exhibitions
Laura and Kate’s Observations 2011
1 – Mix it up
Bringing together collections across traditional lines and boundaries
Cocktail Culture at RISD
2 – Cross disciplines
Art and History; Science and Art; Anthropology and History, etc.
Art Encounters Preservation Revitalizing Historic Sites Through Co
ntemporary Art
3 – Add another art form
Other artistic disciplines, not usually found in museums, can change visitors’ perspectives
ICA’s Dance / Draw oxherding – combined ink paintings
and poetry
4 – Multiple voices
Who else has a perspective on the work, the history, or the issues?
5 - Globalism
Is anything really limited by national borders?
6 – Immerse the visitor
And use multiple senses and ways of learning
7 – Visual communication
Design is more explicit and important than ever before
8 - Link past, present and future
History, science, even art are only relevant if there are links to today
Buurtwinkels exhibit (local convenience stores) at Amsterdam Museum
9 – Get outside!
Relevance also comes from linking to community sites, partners, etc.
Buurtwinkels had small exhibits in the windows of local stores
10 – Take on issues
From last week, talk about questions that are important to visitors
11 – Share the work
Co-Curation means sharing authority, decision making and responsibility
MN 150 is the best example Cooking
12 – Use the crowd
Even civilians can help shape exhibitions
You Like This! State of the Art/Art of the State
13 - Give people something to do
Participation – it’s not just for children’s museums!
14 – Invite an expert
What happens when a scientist, a historian, an artist, a social worker or a curator is in the gallery, talking to visitors?
Marina Abramovic was part of the exhibition The Artist is Present at MoMA
15 – Lift the veil
Show visitors what goes on behind the scene in curatorial, conservation and exhibition departments
MFA Behind the Scenes galleries
16 – Embrace technology
Technology is embraced rather than either hidden or grudgingly accepted, even in the most traditional museums.
Cell phone tours are so 2000! QR codes are everywhere The Warhol: app
17 - Go young
Giving younger visitors a voice is the first step on engagement.
MoMA teen audio tours
18 – Allow fun!
Don’t take everything quite so seriously. People want to have fun.
In summary…
Mix collections Mix disciplines Bring in other art forms Bring in other voices Go global Immersion Visual communication Past, present, future Get outside Include stories
Take on issues Share the work Use the crowd Allow participation Invite an expert Lift the veil Embrace technology Youth & elderly inclusion Allow fun Pop Ups