calvin cliffs – a case study
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CALVIN CLIFFS – A CASE STUDY. How one small unknown museum uses many exhibition strategies while on a small budget -- if they can do it, you can too -- . CALVERT CLIFFS MUSEUM. Maryland seashore Important Paleolithic cliffs, fossils Topic – everything about the area Audience - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Elaine Heumann Gurian
CALVIN CLIFFS – A CASE STUDY
How one small unknown museum uses many exhibition strategies while on a small budget-- if they can do it, you can too --
Elaine Heumann Gurian
CALVERT CLIFFS MUSEUM Maryland seashore Important Paleolithic cliffs, fossils Topic – everything about the area Audience
Yachts and boat enthusiasts Summer tourist season Big Air Force installation nearby Winter rural and isolated School groups
Elaine Heumann Gurian
ORIENTATION An interactive map Answers – Where is
this in context.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
ORIENTATION -- MAP Has voice over Adds History Further Context
Elaine Heumann Gurian
ORIENTATION -- TIMELINE Answers question –
Where in sequence is this.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
ORIENTATION – MAP Model Three-dimensional Answers
relationship question.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
OBJECTS Many Objects in a
case. Reading rail with
labels. Quite ordinary
installation.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
OBJECT & PHOTO Real Object Photo putting object
in context. One of the quickest
cheapest exhibition strategy that answers the question -- “How was this used?”
Elaine Heumann Gurian
A REAL OBJECT IN CONTEXT
Elaine Heumann Gurian
REPRODUCTION Touchable object Historic story –
Answers question “What is the size of the tobacco barrel that went to England?”
Audience can understand size.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
CONSTRUCTED MODEL Answers the
questions – “What did it look like? How big was it?”
Adds emotional quality (intended or unintended?) “How frightened would I be if I met this?”
Elaine Heumann Gurian
TOUCHABLE READING RAILINVENTED PAINTED BACKGROUND
Combined labels and specimens.
Visitor can touch material and look closely.
Answers both visual and tactile questions.
These cliffs are only 5 miles away. Thus this serves as a gateway to the real site.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
Reading Rail– Contemporary materials
Turns easy-to-find material into museum artifacts.
Lends authority to ordinary material.
Changes the way visitors will attend to ordinary materials in the service of a story.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
A MULTIPLE STRATEGY Background Read flora, object Reading rail Mounted touchable
object.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
a reproduced full-scale environment
These are the strata of the cliffs down the road
Elaine Heumann Gurian
AUDITORIUMAdds: -- Possible Performance
and live demonstrations.
Respite. Additional information. Sound, Motion, Context.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
TECHNOLOGY -- Movie Small Theatre in
exhibition Adds context,
motion, etc.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
Take advantage of surprise--REALITY Real bird nest Placed by bird Now used by
teachers Visitors don’t touch
or take away.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
Amenities Food Service Contemplation Rest Eat Talk, socialize Real environment Also has shop, etc.
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INVITATION TO ANOTHER WORLD -- PROCESS
Showcase skilled craftsman
Recognize contemporary tradesman
Talk to real experts Relationship with
community
Elaine Heumann Gurian
ROLE PLAY – DRESS-UP Fantasy. Story telling. Transport to
another time. In the best ones,
experience other ephemeral information like gender roles, etc.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
ACTIVITY -- SIMULATION Archeology dig Fun in its own right. Also establishes the
care and skill needed for a dig.
Activity as physical and tactile learning over time.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
HANDS ON The real object The real sound The real activity
Elaine Heumann Gurian
HANDS ON -- TALK-BACK The audience as
teacher. The indication that
the audience opinion counts.
A change in a power relationship.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
HANDS-ON ACTIVITY Actively answers
questions. Audience
participation in own learning
Quiz Easy to misuse the
strategy.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
MORE ABOUT Multiple levels of
information Here very simple Often technology
used for this purpose.
For audience who wishes to know more.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
MORE ABOUT -- OBJECTS For close study Visual Storage For audience who
wishes to know more.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
MORE ABOUT –GAMES, BOOKS, TEACHER Children’s room Multi-generational Additional
information Teacher attendant
Elaine Heumann Gurian
A REAL ENVIRONMENT This habitat was
created, is small and has an interpretative trail throughout. It is the real flora and fauna
Elaine Heumann Gurian
A VOLUNTEER WITH MATERIAL
Real touchable materials on a cart,
Real AnimalsA knowledgeable
teacher.
Elaine Heumann Gurian
THE CART !
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SECTIONS – TIMELINE Emblematic First person Sequence
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ARTIFACT ENVIRONMENT Stage for
demonstrations Craftsmanship Section timeline Real material
Elaine Heumann Gurian
SECTION TIMELINE Suggests Dress
and roles Peoples history
Elaine Heumann Gurian
RECAPITULATION A reinforcement exit
strategy
Elaine Heumann Gurian
COLLECTIONS STORAGE Study Storage Real size For the specialist
Elaine Heumann Gurian
REPRODUCTION, CREATED AS A CLASS
LABEL TELLS PROCESS OF MAKING
TOUCHABLE STUDENTS
LEARN HANDS ON HISTORY
Elaine Heumann Gurian
THE REAL EXPERIENCE UNSTAND HOW IT
FEELS IN MOTION WHAT THE
WORLD LOOKS LIKE
HOW IT SOUNDS IN ACTION
SOURCE OF INCOME
Elaine Heumann Gurian
RESEARCH ARCHIVES OBJECT
STORAGE OPEN TO
SCHOLARS
Elaine Heumann Gurian
ENTHUSIASTS INVITATION TO
AMATEURS CHANGE OF
AUTHORITY ENLARGED
DEFINITION OF MUSEUM
WELCOME TO THE COMMUNITY
Elaine Heumann Gurian
ALTERNATIVE SITE ADDITIONAL
EXPERIENCE