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There are a couple of things about Mathematica that I think have
also made a difference.  Yes the incredible nature of a Charles &
Ray Eames design played a very important role.  Another thing is
that every year for many, many years, IBM who sponsored the three
copies of the exhibit would send out a team to do restoration and
preservation on the exhibit for 2 weeks each year.  The quality of
materials used in the exhibit were very good and beyond those that
most of us can afford in out exhibit work.

I think there is something else that makes Mathematica last so well.
It is about concepts and ideas and how and when these ideas were
formulated.  This is much different than an exhibit that is more topical.
Some exhibits should only have a lifetime of 3 - 5 years before being
replaced...technology changes, what is known about some subjects
keeps evolving and public interest (particularly around energy exhibits)
waxes and wanes quickly.

Just as fashion changes, the color of kitchen appliances, and other
things in our world change, so there is room for change in our exhibit
designs... but a good set of pearls, some diamond earrings, and a
classic black dress or tux play on over the years.

By the way if you have never seen the Mathemaica exhibit there are
pictures of in on my website at:

     http://www.ahha-museumservices.com

     Look under museum photos

     Go all the way down to the bottom of the page and select Mathematica.

Dave Taylor
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


> From: Jason Jay Stevens <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Sun, 30 Jan 2005 13:58:09 -0500
> Subject: Re: Exhibit Colors
> 
> Eric Siegel recently forwarded a NY Times review of exhibitions at the
> NY Hall of Science in which the reviewer raved about Mathematica, the
> classic Eames exhibit (40 years old?), noting that despite its age, the
> content keeps the exhibit always-fresh, always-interesting.  Granted,
> this was a NY Times reviewer, and the NY Times staff adores everything
> Modern (the Eames being saints of Modernism), but I took reassurance in
> a critique that looks first at content.
> 
> That being said, Mathematica works, I suspect, on the charm of it's
> context within the Hall, overall, which is by-and-large much newer.  A
> museum full of the tired exhibits Charlie Stout described ain't exactly
> destined for greatness.  Charm is one thing.  Dingy is another.
> 
> You don't really want a list of the "in" colors, and you know there are
> no global answers to design questions.  A good exercise is to ask your
> team to bring in and share examples (object, images) of appealing
> (timeless?) design--from ANY genre--kitchen appliances, automobiles,
> textiles, hardware, etc--although, in this business, you may want to
> place the limitation that all of these things be in some way geared for
> young folks--and find some things the examples have in common and, if
> luck prevails, you'll have some inspiration for renovation.
> ___
> JasonJayStevens
> exhibits . annArborHands-OnMuseum . [log in to unmask]

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