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Thesis Research Document WONDER/WONDER Stephanie M. Lewis MA Exhibition Design Candidate May 2013 In partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts in Exhibition Design Corcoran College of Art + Design Washington, D.C. STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 Table of Contents Mission Statement 3 Audience 4 Educational Objectives 5 Visitor Takeaways 6 Venue 7-8 Exhibit Outline 9-11 Exhibit Content Introduction 12-14 Memorial and Tomb 15-16 For Love 17-18 Liberty and Victory 19-20 Civic Symbol 21 Religion and Reverence 22-25 Contemporary Wonders and Interactive Zone 26 Exhibit Resources 27 Visitor Experience Narrative 28-29 Endnotes 30 Appendix A: Research Plan 31-32 Appendix B: Bibliography 33-34 Appendix C: Illustrations 35 iii STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 abstract Wonder/Wonder, exhibited at the Field Museum on the Museum Campus of Chicago, examines world wonders from ancient civilization to the present. The exhibit presents a unique fusion of art and architecture, stories of invention and innovation, and reveals commonality among a variety of cultural histories. To reflect the awe of the world wonders, Wonder/Wonder is strong in con- temporary visual elements, large immersive environments, and multimedia. A variety of historical and archaeological artifacts, models, and drawings also con- tribute to the narrative. This exhibit encourages knowledge, understanding, and curiosity, allowing visi- tors to reflect on the world and wonders around them. The research document presented here is meant to accompany a full design package and exhibit artifact database. Please contact for more information. iv STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 “The origin of the Seven Wonders lies in people. Humans constantly survey their world and set beside the marvels of nature the works that have been imposed on the natural landscape by human hands.” Peter Clayton 1 of 35 STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 Topic Selection The title of this exhibit is Wonder/Wonder to explore the two different definitions of the word “wonder,” both noun and verb. After researching the “seven wonders” I found that many world wonder lists exist and are revisited and reconsidered frequently. Although it may seem as though this topic has been exhibited before, I found little evidence of such comprehensive exhibits. I chose to create an exhibit around the idea of wonder and it’s presence today because it as much a reflection of ancient society as it is a reflection of our own. The topic also presents an interesting design challenge as six of the seven wonders no longer exist, and there is a very limited selection of artifacts left to represent them. Only one of the original world wonders still exists, the Great Pyramid of Giza. The others are known merely through writings, drawings, and ancient coin depictions. I am interested in this challenge and also compelled to present it in a contemporary manner. 2 of 35 STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 MISSION STATEMENT Humans have always possessed an innate desire to build, invent, innovate, and discover. These impulses are revealed in the many ‘wonders of the world.’ Wonder/Wonder will acknowledge these impulses through the stories and exploration of many of the world’s greatest manmade structures from ancient civilization to the present. 3 of 35 STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 AUDIENCE Primary: Schoolchildren, Middle School and Older This exhibit aims to reach a wide audience. Therefore, the design and content will be designed intentional toward a school-aged visitor, ages 12 through 18. The content will not be constructed in an overtly complex manner, so that young visitors are able to gain the knowledge and understanding that is intended. Secondary: Photographers, Travel and Archaeology Enthusiasts The visual assets of this exhibit will include photography, a variety of other digital media, and several archaeological artifacts. This interdisciplinary collection will attract photographers, travel enthusiasts, and archaeology enthusiasts alike. 4 of 35 STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES 1. Visitors will be able to identify the seven ancient world wonders, and the numerous sites considered to be world wonders constructed since. 2. Visitors will learn why the wonders became significant symbols for particular cultures and sites from the ancient to modern world. 3. The exhibit will reveal to the visitors that the same human impulses that encouraged building in ancient civilization are, in fact, the same impulses that provoke humans to build and create today. 4. Visitors will also learn the story of the world wonders list creation and will be encouraged to consider their own criteria for what is wonderful. 5 of 35 STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 VISITOR TAKEAWAYS Much like the educational objectives, it is imperative to the success of the exhibit that the visitor leave with something new, whether it be knowledge, understanding, or simply a new curiosity for the subject matter. Knowledge The visitor will learn what the Seven Ancient World Wonders are. The visitor will learn what sites and buildings are considered to be the existing world wonders. Understanding The visitor will learn why the Seven Ancient World Wonders and following wonders were built, and why they are considered world wonders by so many. Curiosity The visitor will leave the exhibit with a new feeling curiosity, allowing them to reflect on the world and wonders around them. 6 of 35 STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 SITE AND VENUE The Field Museum of Natural History 1400 S Lake Shore Drive Chicago, IL 60605 http://fieldmuseum.org Field Museum Mission: Serving The Public As Educator The Field Museum is an educational institution concerned with the diversity and relationships in nature and among cultures. It provides collection-based research and learning for greater public understanding and appreciation of the world in which we live. Its collections, public learning programs, and research are inseparably linked to serve a diverse public of varied ages, backgrounds and knowledge. Living Together On The Living Earth Combining the fields of Anthropology, Botany, Geology, Paleontology and Zoology, the Museum uses an interdisciplinary approach to increasing knowledge about the past, present and future of the physical earth, its plants, animals, people, and their cultures. In doing so, it seeks to uncover the extent and character of biological and cultural diversity, similarities and interdependencies so that we may better understand, respect, and celebrate nature and other people.1 The Field Museum uses an interdisciplinary approach and it is their goal to increase knowledge of other cultures, which is also part of the Wonder/Wonder objective. The content of Wonder/ Wonder comes from a variety of places all over the globe, and represents several different cultures 1 "Mission Statement | The Field Museum." Welcome to The Field Museum | The Field Museum. <http://fieldmuseum.org/ about/mission> (accessed November 2, 2012). 7 of 35 STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 and people. The Field Museum is an excellent institution that will allow for an exhibit narrative that fuses the worlds of art, innovation, and social history together. Within the FMNH, there are four special exhibition galleries on the Main Floor. Wonder/Wonder will occupy Hall 7, also called the Levin Exhibition Gallery, which has about 5,600 square feet total. This space, however, is flexible and will allow temporary partitions to be added to adjust the size of the exhibit as needed. The ceilings are sixteen feet high to the steel grid and will compliment the larger thematic environments intended for the exhibition. Venue Visitor Narrative The visitor will arrive to Chicago’s Museum Campus on foot by walking from another place in the city, in a car, bus, train, or from the city’s METRA rail. The visitor may or may not have already visited another museum within the campus on that day. The visitor may be with friends and/or family, belong to a school group or may be visiting by themselves. However, it is important to acknowledge that the visitor is making an intentional choice by visiting the museum campus to visit a museum and acquire knowledge of some sort, whether or not the Field Museum is their primary destination. 8 of 35 STEPHANIE LEWIS CCA+D MASTER OF ARTS IN EXHIBITION DESIGN THESIS EX7900 STUDIO B INSTRUCTOR, SELMA THOMAS MAY 2013 STORY OUTLINE RELIGION & REVERENCE CIVIC SYMBOL & POWER CONTEMPORARY WONDERS & INTRO LIBERTY & VICTORY INTERACTIVE ZONE MEMORIAL & TOMB FOR LOVE Figure 1: Content outline diagram by theme The rectangular format of the gallery is represented in the diagram above. The gallery has been divided according to the content outline, by themes and world wonders. The outermost edges of the exhibit, with the exception of the introduction, are constructed as the framework for the outline, which tells the stories of the seven ancient wonders. The seven wonders have then been distributed into five themes that correlate to existing wonders not on the original list. Using the ancient-wonder-as-backbone and themes, the existing wonders are then introduced more centrally in the exhibit, as illustrated by the gray areas.
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