Exhibit Maker's Toolbox: SeisMac

Here's a quick one for those of you with access to MacBook or MacBook Pro portables. (And as Michael Flynn astutely pointed out in the Comments Section, some older iBooks and PowerBooks too!)

SeisMac 2.0 is a freeware program created with support from the National Science Foundation through the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology.

The program takes advantage of the Sudden Motion Sensor inside MacBook or MacBook Pro portable computers to create a functioning seismograph.

You can download the program via this website

Have fun!

The Myth That Museums Support Themselves

Martin Filler wrote an excellent article in Architectural Record,
entitled " Debunking a myth about museums that pay for themselves."

Mr. Filler raises several excellent points, but one main takeaway for me was that museum boards, in their quest for the next "Bilbao" oftentimes sacrifice important, if not essential, aspects of buildings like on-site storage.

Creating a new museum building clearly shows the values that the institution's stakeholders hold dear. Does form truly follow function, or do the design stylings of a "starchitect" reign supreme? Does your new museum serve as a gateway to your community or a playground for the elites?

Unfortunately, monumental architecture does not have a great track record for engendering ongoing community support. Mr. Filler highlights recent projects in Toronto, Milwaukee, and Denver that failed to live up to the promise of creating "economic engines" for their respective regions.

An unfortunate corollary to this "edifice complex" in the museum community is the notion of architects serving as both building designers and exhibit designers for new projects. This is generally a bad idea, especially when it comes to museums with high numbers of interactive exhibits. You wouldn't hire an exhibit developer to design a new building (would you?) So why do some museums hire architects to design interactive experiences? Instead of a blending of architecture and experience design, most museums with architect-designed exhibits seem like the interactive equivalent of "LegoLand" with mini-buildings or "design statements" inside a larger shell.

Of course, the economic realities of starting up and maintaining a museum have always been with us. But in the end, true passion, not ego, not finances, is what drives excellent institutions. To paraphrase Mr. Filler, "Do what you love...if you make a profit, good for you. If not, good for you, too, because you’ll have been enriched by living with a thing of beauty."

Exhibit Design Inspiration: Etch-A-Sketch Exhibits

A maker named Angela Yuan created this cool Etch-A-Sketch clock using servo motors and Arduino controllers (which will be the subject of a future ExhibiTricks posting.)

In a more "old school" vein, George Vlosich creates intricate portraits on the device.

What other types of exhibits could we create with the Etch-A-Sketch?

Exhibit Design Inspiration:Math Is Beautiful

Two often underutilized ways to spruce up any exhibit area are to include items related to mathematics and optical illusions. Both subjects have demonstrated "holding times" for visitors and can often be developed inexpensively.

A recent article about an exhibition of mathematical art (including the example from Michael Field, above) highlighted both the beauty and science, visible in every selection. There must be a blank wall or other suitable space in your museum that could benefit from such an image.

Often times we think of math and illusion images as only 2D, but one of my favorite websites, suitably titled "Grand Illusions" shows how mathematics and optical illusions can become 3D interactive objects or toys. The Grand Illusions site also contains an online shop where you can purchase many of the items shown.

How have you used math or illusion inside your museum? Share your ideas in the Comments Section below!

Exhibits 911

Since many exhibits use "off-the-shelf" components, many times a simple fix could mean just replacing a part, like a bulb, rather than having to buy a brand new device.

A handy source to find replacement parts (even for older or discontinued models) is partstore.com

I always like to keep a spare or two handy to reduce downtime for exhibits.

Turn Your Old Tootbrush Into A Robot!

The fine folks at Evil Mad Scientist Laboratories have posted this nifty set of instructions and video to make a "Bristlebot."

Now I just need to find some old pagers to scavenge their motors!