Planning and Managing an Exhibition Programme
Planning and Managing an Exhibition Programme
Planning and Managing an Exhibition Programme
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re-emphasised the diversity of hum<strong>an</strong>ity by simulating bustling encounters with people<br />
divorced from space <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> time. Visitors to Odyssey were physically part of this installation<br />
as they stood amid the projections. They were also included virtually. At r<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>om intervals,<br />
their self-portraits captured in the gallery below would appear for a few seconds among<br />
Another new technology in this gallery was the electronic postcard station where visitors<br />
could customise email messages based on images of works included in the exhibition.<br />
Sending a postcard virtually while travelling metaphorically was <strong>an</strong> appropriate,<br />
entertaining activity associated with Odyssey.<br />
The final component of Odyssey was informally called the'cocktail party', a presenation<br />
of 20 superlative artistic or cultural works, in a carpeted space evoking a more domestic<br />
feeling th<strong>an</strong> the previous galleries. Some of these objects, such as the portraits <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong><br />
l<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>scapes, related to previous sections of the exhibition. Others, such as a New<br />
Caledoni<strong>an</strong> ceremonial axe, a Hessi<strong>an</strong> mercenary's helmet <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> <strong>an</strong> intricately carved<br />
Flemish terminal rosary bead, did not. All the works were interpreted through audio<br />
'conversations'<br />
projected from sound-focusing dome speakers installed above them.The<br />
conversations about the artworks were edited from recordings made of numerous actual<br />
conversations that occurred when a variety of individuals were invited to talk about<br />
objects of their choice.A short sound clip with two to four voices interpreting <strong>an</strong> obiect<br />
was played when activated by a motion detector that sensed a visitor approaching the<br />
object. lt was interesting to observe that when multiple audio clips were playing<br />
simult<strong>an</strong>eously in the gallery, as they often were, they gave the impression of a gathering<br />
of real people.This attracted visitors into the area <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> encouraged them to ioin in,or at<br />
least eavesdrop on, the conversations. The 'cocktail party' installation revealed that<br />
opinions about art are diverse, reflect m<strong>an</strong>y points of view <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> are often contradictory.<br />
It was apparent that there were no right or wrong opinions, but that exPressing opinions<br />
facilitated conversation about art.<br />
Overall, Odyssey's conclusion was designed to leave the visitor with the realisation that the<br />
dialogue about world art is a dynamic, exciting <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> enriching activity that c<strong>an</strong> be carried out<br />
beyond the bounds of a museum. People at all times in all places have engaged in dialogue<br />
with art <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> will continue to do so. lndividuals as viewers have <strong>an</strong> import<strong>an</strong>t role in the life<br />
of a work of art because we have the ability to make <strong>an</strong> object tr<strong>an</strong>scend its intended context<br />
<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> purpose.Interaction with art c<strong>an</strong> ch<strong>an</strong>ge our lives by stimulating the search for connection,<br />
me<strong>an</strong>ing <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> discourse that drives us to new insights <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> greater underst<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong>ing. Looking at<br />
<strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> thinking about art is a profound <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> creative process. lt c<strong>an</strong> allow us to see our world<br />
differently.<br />
'l am part of all that I have met...'<br />
Ulysses<br />
Alfred, Lord Tennyson<br />
The museum's exp<strong>an</strong>sion programme,to be completed in 2003, includes new installations of<br />
all the museum's perm<strong>an</strong>ent collections. In addition to fostering appreciation for the individual<br />
collections, these new exhibitions will draw from themes, approaches <strong><strong>an</strong>d</strong> ideas tested in<br />
Odyssey, which represented the museum's initial step into its third century.<br />
PLANNINGANDMANAGINGANEXHIBITIONPROGMMME 275
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