Strandbeest Exhibition
Strandbeest The Dream Machines of Theo Jansen with Photography by Lena Herzog. To me, this exhibition exemplified the essence of the Exploratorium's approach to art & science. The design strategy combined Art (as theatrical performance space), Natural History (as scientific interpretation of Art) and Workshop (as Artist’s process). I played a central role in facilitating the creative process of the Strandbeest exhibition team. As 2D designer I was responsible for design briefs, exhibition and event graphics, website design, print collateral, store products, and coordination with marketing. What an honor to work with Theo Jansen!
Science of Sharing
Science of Sharing: Investigating Competition, Cooperation and Social Interaction. The challenge for me as the 2D designer was to create a welcoming and safe environment for visitors to explore difficult aspects of their own social behavior. I designed a set of “social” human icons to symbolize social behavior as both universal and variable. Content was organized around key "social dilemmas". Small, caption-less photos allowed visitors to make their own connections to current world issues. Interactive game arenas enclosed by floor graphics invited visitors to not only participate, but to observe each other’s behavior as a social scientist would.
Photography
Pier to Exploratorium. Collaborating with photographers is deeply gratifying for me. I worked with photographer Amy Snyder to design a foyer exhibit about the architectural conversion of the old Pier 15 into a new LEED museum building. The story is told both above and below the water line. The actual seismic joint of the building is incorporated into the exhibition. I used steel plates and deep frames, and was inspired by the spray paint language of the construction site. Along with the environmental and architectural story, we focused on tools and materials, and honored many of the construction workers with personal portraits.
Experimentation!
I feel lucky to have been a designer at the Exploratorium for more than 30 years. Steeped in a deep interactive philosophy, interesting ideas and rich collaborations were a daily experience for me. I was allowed to wear many design hats. The museum floor was a fluid stage for constant experimentation. Never a dull moment, with endless opportunities to fail, learn and repeat. I'm very grateful for the spirit of rapid prototyping that kept my design thinking fast and versatile.
Exhibitions include:
Strandbeest
Science of Sharing
Pier to Exploratorium
Being Human
Listen
Reflections
Magnetic Movie
Boundaries: It All Happens At The Edge
(AAM Excellence in Exhibition Design Award)
Frogs
Navigation (Smithsonian, DC)
Seeing the Light (IBM Gallery, NYC)