Toy Boats
Temporary Exhibition, 2009–10
Temporary Exhibition, 2009–10
This exhibition displays a vast collection of historicaltoys in an exciting and dynamic space, arranged in a way to appeal to a wideand diverse visitor demographic. Objects are placed centre stage with generousroom to appreciate their aesthetic appeal whilst the exhibition design enhancesand excites the experience, prompting the question whether these are toys orimportant historical models.
Bright colourful walls and the playful use of stylisedEdwardian architecture throughout remind the visitor of the social and economicbackground whilst preserving the underlining fact, they are toys made to beplayed with. Careful use of historical canvas framed images and a living roompicture wall are intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
A bandstand frames the projection area with an intricatefret cut toy boat motif arching between two pillars. Two park benches subtlysuggest a location where some of these toys might have been played with. Abespoke shop front built from untreated hard wood, adorned with hand paintedperiod slogans has been built at the end of the exhibition displaying some ofthe larger display toys unlikely to have ever touched the water. Bespoke ‘pricetag’ inspired labels and advertising posters on the wall parallel add to theeffect.
The exhibition has been positively regarded and evenextended for a period of six months due to popular demand. Working on a healthymedium exhibition of this scope (220m2) has allowed me to work closely on allaspects including 3d, 2d, print, marketing and branding design. The result is acomplete, distinct and rounded exhibition.
Credits
Client National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Exhibition concept Musee de la Marine, Paris
Build contractor Clements & Street
Lighting LGA
Project Manager Louise Skidmore
Exhibition Curator Kristian Martin
Photography NMM Photo Studio
Bright colourful walls and the playful use of stylisedEdwardian architecture throughout remind the visitor of the social and economicbackground whilst preserving the underlining fact, they are toys made to beplayed with. Careful use of historical canvas framed images and a living roompicture wall are intended to evoke a sense of nostalgia.
A bandstand frames the projection area with an intricatefret cut toy boat motif arching between two pillars. Two park benches subtlysuggest a location where some of these toys might have been played with. Abespoke shop front built from untreated hard wood, adorned with hand paintedperiod slogans has been built at the end of the exhibition displaying some ofthe larger display toys unlikely to have ever touched the water. Bespoke ‘pricetag’ inspired labels and advertising posters on the wall parallel add to theeffect.
The exhibition has been positively regarded and evenextended for a period of six months due to popular demand. Working on a healthymedium exhibition of this scope (220m2) has allowed me to work closely on allaspects including 3d, 2d, print, marketing and branding design. The result is acomplete, distinct and rounded exhibition.
Credits
Client National Maritime Museum, Greenwich
Exhibition concept Musee de la Marine, Paris
Build contractor Clements & Street
Lighting LGA
Project Manager Louise Skidmore
Exhibition Curator Kristian Martin
Photography NMM Photo Studio
Edwardian stylearchitecture and a playful picture wall filled with home photo props provide awarm, comfortable and familiar retro backdrop for the toys.
Toy Packaginginspired light boxes hang suspended above island showcases each with adifferent primary colour overlay and printed set of postcard images provides aplayful touch to the exhibition.
At the heart ofthe gallery a projection area is flanked with hardwood bandstand complete withdetailed fret-cut arch. Around the centre of the gallery, display units aregiven laminated oak plinths to suggest the impression of old collectorsshowcase.
Simple step plinths make upthe basis of case layouts maximising the available space and creating a dynamicand exciting displays. Hard wood laminate applied to backboards adds to theperiod look and feel of the exhibition. Custom designed external label railsinterpret all the objects outside the case solving the problem of reopeningcases containing loan objects from other institutions.
Oneof the highlights of this exhibition was the chance to complete a series oftechnical illustrations showing the mechanical movements of various types ofpropulsion systems. I wanted to depict them in an old fashion way that mighthave been seen in instruction books at the time.
At the end ofthe gallery two large shop displays have been designed and constructed, retrofitting two previously built-in showcases in an attempt to provide the ultimatedisplay of toy boats and end the experience on a high.
I designed a conservationgrade showcase mimicking a turn of the century shop counter display allowingvisitors to get a closer look at various toy boat packaging, manuals andadverts. A rich bright blue wall with contrasting vinyl slogans frames thesection and a series of interesting period adverts.
