ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
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COSI Columbus has an exhibit that sounds almost exactly like what you're
describing. It was quite well done.



-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Wendy Yung
Sent: Wednesday, October 18, 2006 12:16 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Cultural references in exhibit theming

ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
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*****

Hello everyone,

I'm hoping for some help on a potentially culturally-sensitive issue.. 

We're developing a new exhibition that's themed as an adventure into a
long- lost land. Our designers have come up with setwork for each
exhibit that I can best describe as Indiana Jones-meets-Tomb Raider,
with lots of influences from meso-American iconography such as stone
statues, ornate stone carvings and pyramid-like structures.

The exhibition itself isn't about any particular culture - instead it is
about an adventure into a land of measurement (yes you read that
correctly.. ). We are thinking though of how people might react to us
using cultural iconography to create a mood, particularly when we have
tweaked the icons somewhat to make them less specific to that culture. 

Has anyone used this type of theming before and how has the public
reacted? 
Alternatively, if anyone can offer their expertise on culturally
sensitive issues, I would really appreciate hearing from you.

Thanks,
Wendy


Wendy Yung
Concept Developer
Questacon-The National Science and Technology Centre location code 940
PO Box 5322 Kingston ACT 2604 Australia t +61 2 6126 2204 f +61 2 6126
2266 http://www.questacon.edu.au

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