Gallery Design Review: MAC

In learning about the components that are put into gallery design, visiting the Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) in Spokane Washington was helpful in actually experiencing these elements. One of the exhibits I studied at the museum was the Lasting Heritage Native American display by Henry Day Ellis. This exhibit was displayed in two rooms, Room A, is 1,710 square feet, and Room B is 2,265 square feet, for a total exhibit space of 3,975 square feet. This specific exhibit displayed artifacts, clothing, paintings, and videos all about the Plateau Indian peoples.

Accessing the exhibit there were two entrances accessible by a ramp and also a two-step stair case between the two rooms. Entering through the main exhibit entrance was an information panel painted on the outside of the exhibit, noting the contributors and sponsors. Next there was a big wall with a nature mural and small glass case with a big sign with the exhibits name. From there, you had the choice to go right or left to visit the glass cases up against the walls.

Main Entrance

Information Panel

The display method was mainly glass cases against the walls and in the center of the room, but also hung paintings on the wall. Depending on what the size of the objects being displayed in the glass cases, some cases had multiple levels of shelving, while others only held one object. Also featured in each room was an audio type display. In one room being an interactive touch screen showing more information on the types of clothing the Indians wore and in the other room a slide show projected on the wall with a video of the Indians history. This provided a different way to present the exhibit for a universal use, as if someone had vision impairment. Other elements added to the space to accent the displaying system was an effective use of lighting. Laid on rails in an exposed ceiling, track lighting was used in the space. With no natural light present, the effect of lighting played a great role in the experience. Light focused and directed directly on the art and not all over lighting placed importance of the pieces. The pieces on the walls were light up by an angle light whereas the pieces in the cases were lighted directly from above.

Touchscreen Interactive Video

Blown Glass displayed in a glass case, lighted from above

The colors also affected the experience, as the exhibit was about the Plateau Indians; earth tones were carried throughout the exhibit. One room was painted a moss green and the other room a burnt orange. In contrast with these colors, quotes were painted in white in a variety of sizes and placements throughout the exhibit. The ceiling was dark brown and almost black to hide the track lighting system frame underneath a brown suspended grid system. The flooring consisted of a light brown carpet with a short pile in order to be easily moveable on.

View from Room A into Room B

Track Lighting with exposed ceiling, Suspended grid system

Circular Glass Case Display

Paintings with painted wall quotes, lighted angled down

In the center of the first room was a circular formation of glass cases displaying shoes next to full clothes of the Indians. There was a relationship of like items in proximity to each other throughout the exhibit. Into the next room, a giant teepee took up the majority of the floor space, next to paintings on the wall, all centered at what appeared to be the 5 foot vision line. To accent the pictures, quotes where painted on the wall rather than being placed on cards.

View of Room B

 Overall, visiting this exhibit was helpful in my understanding of a well-designed gallery space. Being able to experience first-hand all the elements of a well thought out space and how all the components come together to create a good learning and viewing experience.

Vision Disability

Participating in the vision disability workshop was literally an eye opening experience into understanding the difficulties a person with visual impairments faces every day. Simple tasks of everyday life were simulated and I realized how challenging not being able to see clearly effects how situations are approached.

The first task was standing in the Starbucks at the bookie and using a plastic bag folded in half to simulate what a person with 20/60 vision and can still drive during the day. Reading a newspaper was challenging but not impossible, only truly able to see when the newspaper was very close to the face. Next, by folding the plastic bag in half again, representing a legally blind person, looking around was a complete blur. To indicate between spaces, I was very reliant of a contrast of colors, it was hard to differentiate between similar colors as they blurred together.

Two Layers of Plastic

No Filter

The vision simulator tool has four circles, each showing how one would view the world with different impairments. The four types shown are central vision loss, loss of parts, tunnel vision, and blindness (from top to bottom).

Vision Impairment Tool

The next task was to take sunglasses smeared with petroleum jelly, walking through the Bookie into the main walkway of the CUB, using the elevators, and going down a floor to use the ATM. First walking through the CUB, while being unable to see people’s distinct facial features, their faces and bodies were blurry and it was a little difficult to identify their depth and distance from me while walking. In the elevator, there was no real distinction between elevator buttons, but what helped identify where the buttons are from memory and the “ding” helped recognize when the elevator car arrived.

Next, using the ATM machine was far from easy to use alone. There was brail on the number key pad, but the screen with the information was digital and a touch screen. Unless I squinted really hard through the glasses, I wouldn’t have been able to read the screen. There was a flashing light around where your card and envelope was supposed to go and a beeping noise signaling when to insert the card or take your money.

Moving onto the last stop at the library and using the stairs. Depth perception of each step was difficult to differentiate because the stairs had no significant color distinction from one step to the next.