What does a tractor sprinkler, a surfboard and Rolf Harris' wobble board all have in common?
by Steven Fox
The answer to this question can be found in a visit to the National Museum of Australia's exhibition Australian Journeys. My second blog continues the exploration of concepts of identity and how these are exhibited by museums and galleries.
Whereas the Australian War Memorial's War over the front is a noisy and light filled 'immersive' experience (see January Blog), Australian Journeys adopts a reflective but no less immersive experience. Australian Journeys is a gallery dedicated to revealing how the movement of people to and from Australia have impacted the development of a nation; socially, culturally and economically. This derives from the idea of transnationalism, rather than the idea of migration.
The objects exhibited all share very personal stories through their connections between the individual and their journeys. There's no surprises in the chronological path that traverses the gallery from that the earliest migratory movements of Aboriginal people to European exploration, colonialism, Federation, war, post war migration and contemporary journeys to Europe, Bali and beyond; the Australian diaspora.
A particularly striking feature of the gallery is that from either end of the space one can see laid out before them an enticing smorgasbord of cultural diversity apparently floating in the gallery. Technically this is achieved through judicious showcase design and layout; keeping the 'clutter' of captions, signage and supporting media away from the objects, outside of the showcases in most cases.
Here the ability to experience the object up close and personal is paramount to the success of this gallery. The personal stories that are told connect with the visitor through a close examination of the object. Ordinary objects take on a different type of meaning and with around 750 objects in the gallery there's a deep experience on offer. This is an exhibition to put on your list if you visit Canberra.
For Te Manawa developing new galleries that feature interactive science, Maori and Pakeha history and rugby we have before us a smorgasbord of opportunities to tell a diverse story and one that utilises a mix of reflective and noisy immersive experiences. In 2011 our community and visitors will be able to determine if our new visitor experience really achieves this. I believe it will.
Work has commenced on the physical building infrastructure to support our gallery developments. Our museum and science centre building is now a construction zone and all our public activities are occurring within the Art Gallery building or other venues around Palmerston North such as the City Library.
Steven Fox
Chief Executive
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