tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post2622473026782874701..comments2023-06-10T10:09:21.134-04:00Comments on ExhibiTricks: A Museum/Exhibit/Design Blog: The Theory of Loose Parts: A Different Kind of Exhibit Design?POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.)http://www.blogger.com/profile/05111591384018210698noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-51179609750639354502010-07-08T13:39:02.833-04:002010-07-08T13:39:02.833-04:00State of NJ has an architecture exhibit in its new...State of NJ has an architecture exhibit in its newly constructed area (underground). It includes foam blocks with covering indicating the changes and additions to the State Capitol complex. The Blocks are loose. They do have a deep, properly shaped placed to be put when they are not being added by the visitor to explore development of the Buildings over time. Hook and loop (Velcro strips) make joining and disassembling the pieces easy. The blocks (building pieces) are large and would not fit into anyone's pockets as suggested by another writer. The exhibit is one that allows minimal variations, but it does a good job of conveying how what you are visiting today has changed over time and how those pieces fit together.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-48191720651339643182010-07-06T16:49:26.737-04:002010-07-06T16:49:26.737-04:00At our children's museum, we've grown incr...At our children's museum, we've grown increasingly committed to loose parts. messy - yup. worth it - definitely. Our willingness to deal with the mess is due to our increasing understanding - and embracing - of our role as an advocate for children's free play. <br />A decade ago, when we thought our role was to present information in an engaging and hands-on manner, loose parts were more of a problem for us. Finding the (fake) plantains or avocados from the Latino market in the colonial cottage was not okay. They didn't have avocados in colonial New England. But if we see our museums as more places where kids learn and play than places where we teach, that changes everything.Janicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07788774419788793360noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-58586876989588235422010-07-05T10:58:10.343-04:002010-07-05T10:58:10.343-04:00I grew up in an Imagination Playground -- we just ...I grew up in an Imagination Playground -- we just called it a farm. But, serviously, every time I watch those shows that tell you how to organize and arrange your house, I get a little more worried. Without a little mess, there is no learning. And I like how you challenge museums to think about this in a constructive manner.Belinda Crowsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04301320975965486933noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-48947046113256288602010-07-02T12:13:34.888-04:002010-07-02T12:13:34.888-04:00I like exhibits with loose parts, and have learned...I like exhibits with loose parts, and have learned from making lots of mistakes! My current rules of thumb (still evolving) include:<br />- loose parts should be just nice enough, but not fancy enough to steal (even if the fanciness comes from a fictional "status" assigned in the exhibit, such as fake coins)<br />- nice loose parts should be too big to fit in a pocket, but small enough to manipulate<br />- loose parts should either be so cheap as to be practically disposable, or robust enough to rarely need replacing<br />- with cheap loose parts check that you *actually* have operational staff time for making/buying the replacements<br />- tethering loose parts only makes them into a "challenge" (which the visitor will win)<br />There's probably more, but I hope you understand my pain...Andyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13334363376616354640noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5317052042177627905.post-69413645742892821392010-07-02T11:21:26.973-04:002010-07-02T11:21:26.973-04:00As a science museum programs person, I have a big ...As a science museum programs person, I have a big Ziploc bag in my desk that contains a diversity of "loose parts" from various exhibits created over the years at my institution. <br /><br /> We use them for "show and tell" in exhibit planning meetings. All of the objects in the bag have been collected from live presentation areas where they have been hurled by visitors at presenters, during presentations.<br /><br />I like as many variables as possible in our exhibits, but designers need to be creative about making the pieces safe for everyone. Foam Blocks-GOOD! Metal Bolts & Nuts-BAD!Suenoreply@blogger.com