WHAT SHOULD MILITARY MUSEUM LOOK LIKE

IainN · 24th May 2006, 08:48 PM

To echo Tim, I also am not a fan of the computer displays in galleries. I find they tend to jam traffic and usually are dominated by small children who insist on playing the same sound effect over and over and over... Of course it would be possible to develop computer displays that are more information oriented and less "noise and blinking lights".

The other suggestion would be to maybe have a station where visitors could handle replica artifacts (previously discussed I know), some museums use volunteers to man these stations to reduce the chance of mishap from someone getting clonked on the head by a blunt. I remember one museum I visited a long time ago in Scotland where they had a room devoted to costumes and weapons you could handle. There was allot of space. If possible I think this is important because some museums seem to put in such replica displays as an afterthought and it tends to be very crowded around a small area.

Ian · 24th May 2006, 10:39 PM

Michal:

I think the advice you are receiving here is all good. Our perspectives reflect different audiences. What we, as collectors, would like to see is not necessarily what is going to draw the vast majority of visitors to your displays. There are perhaps a few tens of thousands of edged weapons enthusiasts worldwide, compared with many millions of museum attendees. What is your target audience?

Many museums tailor their displays to all ages, but increasingly to children (and their parents) and young adults. This means keeping pace with the current trends, and technology is one of the current trends.

If your goal is to please a bunch of old guys, like Tim and me, then stay with the traditional displays. If you want to appeal more widely, go with a mix of new and traditional methods.

Ian.

wolviex · 25th May 2006, 08:53 AM

Thank you very much!!! I especially like the ideas from other museums, there is always something to learn, even if not for use on my field.
Ian, Tim and IainN: there won't be any shouting, dazzling computer screens with games and gore

. We will keep high standarts, but because our are visitors are from 5-150 years old we will find solution for everyone. Computers will be helpful to show simulations, or great zooms for chosen objects worth to show, because not always you're able to see everything through the glass. There is more ideas around it. What is my imagine, is to create exhibition where beside cases with weaponry in classical arrangment will be many other interesting and attracting places. Something what will be always nice to see, will catch the eye, will be surprising etc. Those big groups like hussars or fighting army are only few strong points. Other will be smaller like the general's desk with maps and candles to create special atmosphere, or small bivouac with soldiers around canteen, carabines not one by one but standing in pile crossed with barrels, panoplies, etc etc. But around will be classical presentation, because essential aspects are and will be most important.
These is many work for few great minds

. I and my collegues won't make it alone, we will probably create a team with people from different branches: architect, interior decorator, scenographer, programmer - because those people will have other ideas we even don't know they're existing.

vandoo: thank you. The idea on showing present or old forge techniques is good, and we already thought about it

. I agree there shouldn't be too many tv screens and movies - it's not the cinema but museum. I also liked the Ian's note about digital map!

I'm waiting for more of your museum experiences and ideas. You're really helpful so far and I belive it will open my mind wider for new conceptions, thought it will be few years till we will start reconstruction!

Mark · 25th May 2006, 04:43 PM

I recall now a small exhibition that went through the Smithsonian several years ago, called "Vikings: the North Atlantic Saga." It had a very nice combination of artifacts, clothing (reproduced of course), tools and weapons. I thought the way the displays were set up was very good, and the accompanying captions and larger text displays were well presented as well. What made me think of it was Ian's comment about the forge, as they had both a forge and a display about smelting techniques. The catalogue (same title) is available from their on-line store (http://www.smithsonianstore.com/cata...s&wtl1=vikings) and Amazon.com.

I have some photos of the exhibition itself, which I will try and find. They are on a CD somewhere in my files.

24th May 2006, 10:39 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,397	What do you want to accomplish? Michal: I think the advice you are receiving here is all good. Our perspectives reflect different audiences. What we, as collectors, would like to see is not necessarily what is going to draw the vast majority of visitors to your displays. There are perhaps a few tens of thousands of edged weapons enthusiasts worldwide, compared with many millions of museum attendees. What is your target audience? Many museums tailor their displays to all ages, but increasingly to children (and their parents) and young adults. This means keeping pace with the current trends, and technology is one of the current trends. If your goal is to please a bunch of old guys, like Tim and me, then stay with the traditional displays. If you want to appeal more widely, go with a mix of new and traditional methods. Ian.

24th May 2006, 08:48 PM	#1
IainN Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 31	To echo Tim, I also am not a fan of the computer displays in galleries. I find they tend to jam traffic and usually are dominated by small children who insist on playing the same sound effect over and over and over... Of course it would be possible to develop computer displays that are more information oriented and less "noise and blinking lights". The other suggestion would be to maybe have a station where visitors could handle replica artifacts (previously discussed I know), some museums use volunteers to man these stations to reduce the chance of mishap from someone getting clonked on the head by a blunt. I remember one museum I visited a long time ago in Scotland where they had a room devoted to costumes and weapons you could handle. There was allot of space. If possible I think this is important because some museums seem to put in such replica displays as an afterthought and it tends to be very crowded around a small area.

25th May 2006, 08:53 AM	#3
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Thank you very much!!! I especially like the ideas from other museums, there is always something to learn, even if not for use on my field. Ian, Tim and IainN: there won't be any shouting, dazzling computer screens with games and gore . We will keep high standarts, but because our are visitors are from 5-150 years old we will find solution for everyone. Computers will be helpful to show simulations, or great zooms for chosen objects worth to show, because not always you're able to see everything through the glass. There is more ideas around it. What is my imagine, is to create exhibition where beside cases with weaponry in classical arrangment will be many other interesting and attracting places. Something what will be always nice to see, will catch the eye, will be surprising etc. Those big groups like hussars or fighting army are only few strong points. Other will be smaller like the general's desk with maps and candles to create special atmosphere, or small bivouac with soldiers around canteen, carabines not one by one but standing in pile crossed with barrels, panoplies, etc etc. But around will be classical presentation, because essential aspects are and will be most important. These is many work for few great minds . I and my collegues won't make it alone, we will probably create a team with people from different branches: architect, interior decorator, scenographer, programmer - because those people will have other ideas we even don't know they're existing. vandoo: thank you. The idea on showing present or old forge techniques is good, and we already thought about it . I agree there shouldn't be too many tv screens and movies - it's not the cinema but museum. I also liked the Ian's note about digital map! I'm waiting for more of your museum experiences and ideas. You're really helpful so far and I belive it will open my mind wider for new conceptions, thought it will be few years till we will start reconstruction!

25th May 2006, 04:43 PM	#4
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	I recall now a small exhibition that went through the Smithsonian several years ago, called "Vikings: the North Atlantic Saga." It had a very nice combination of artifacts, clothing (reproduced of course), tools and weapons. I thought the way the displays were set up was very good, and the accompanying captions and larger text displays were well presented as well. What made me think of it was Ian's comment about the forge, as they had both a forge and a display about smelting techniques. The catalogue (same title) is available from their on-line store (http://www.smithsonianstore.com/cata...s&wtl1=vikings) and Amazon.com. I have some photos of the exhibition itself, which I will try and find. They are on a CD somewhere in my files.