Tuesday, January 17, 2017
On designing the Science Museum
www.creativereview.co.uk: Annabel Judd is just seven months into her role as Masterplan Project Director of the Science Museum Group, but given the nature of the job she is already looking far ahead to the future. Next year will see the fruits of her first major initiative in the opening of the London museum’s new lecture theatre, while also on the horizon is the London Science City gallery and the new suite of Medical Galleries, set to open in 2019. At the same time, Judd’s role involves overseeing projects at the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester and the National Media Museum in Bradford, where a new interactive gallery will open in March next year. There is, it’s safe to say, a lot going on.
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4 comments:
I really enjoyed reading about Annabel Judd's work because it was so similar to the theatrical design we are learning. Although the context of her research and decisions were different, the collaboration and focus on an immersive experience were perfectly applicable. One of the impressive things about her process she commented on is her commitment to communicating the exhibits rather than making repetitive design statements. It's seen in her designs too that the environments she makes are beautiful themselves but don't distract from the exhibit, like the set up for the Alexander McQueen exhibit which had color and pattern which complimented his designers without competing with them. It was surprising to me, however, that some of these museum designs take 4 years to design and create. I'll definitely look at a science or history museum exhibit differently in the future after learning about Judd's process.
I am thoroughly shocked, in awe and relieved that the interaction between the sciences and the arts has grown and improved so much in previous years onward to now. I mean look at me. I am here at college getting a BFA in making magic happen and understanding why that magic is made. That seems a lot like the chemistry and biology of theatre to me. That is why I think this article and the contexts it speaks to are so important. By using art we are able to create fun interactive experiences that instigate learning and creation in the sciences. The other thing in this article that spoke to me is Judd's quote "If you look at my career path, it’s not linear. And that’s kind of like me; I just like getting involved in different things." The design of this museum may not be the most high paying job Judd was ever offered, but it was important to her and what she stands for, so accepting this job is so much more important than climbing the business. Choose the jobs that make you as an artist happy to complete them.
I have always loved Science Museums since I was younger, but especially more recently I have a greater appreciation for the art of it. Their really isn't a career for being a science museum designer, and I like how Judd doesn't label herself as one type of person, her work shows that she has done a lot, and she doesn't fall into one single category. Because of that, thats why her designs are so intriguing. The photography on the website is incredible, how they were able to photograph the installation of the child with the mirrors, and not capture a reflection of the camera anywhere is incredible. I really hope these kinds of art installations are brought even more to the general public. I think that science museums are incredible to expose people to art and natural phenomenon, but also in more public locations where people aren't expecting a similar style of work to be. I love her concept of looking at the macro and the micro, and often times I think we get sucked into one or the other, where in reality both are incredibly important, and some of the most successful art has a good balance of both.
There are some museum that are very clearly telling a story, creating a narrative in space instead of a narrative in time such as theatre and film. From my experience you can clearly appreciate this when visiting certain museums such as the American Holocaust Museum which are dedicated to recounting events. However I found it interesting that Judd is applying this concept of a narrative across space to more abstract ideas like science and design. The work she is doing is super important, mainly because it can inspire young children to become engaged and passionate about a subject. I spent a lot of time in art museums as a kid and I used to sit and sketch for hours, but who knows what career I might be pursuing if I had spent that time in science museums instead. However, it may be unfair to draw this harsh line between art and science, Judd herself doesn’t. I think blurring the line between what is art and science is a beautiful thing and allows for innovations, discoveries, and creative thinking beyond our wildest dreams.
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