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IWASM Installation

March 1st, 2010 by Kieth Peppers

I was thinking about the space we have to work with at IWASM and how it is currently utilized. While I believe that the material and artifacts available can “make” an exhibit space, I feel that the edifice in which the museum is located as well as the lack of guidance and flow are what need to be countered-acted. To deal with the issue of flow, I thought we could make replicas of the pylons used during air races. One foot square by five foot high, they could be made of very affordable PVC pipe and we could have 4 banner made up to cover each side. Make a few of these pylons and use arrows or the little red dashes used in Indiana Jones to display his planes route and visitors could follow them as we guide them. The red dashes could be made of those thick floor stickers; I’m not sure what they are called but I think they should hold up fairly well against the light foot traffic. I know that floor space is a point of frustration for IWASM but the pylons would take up only a few square feet depending on how many we made. Give me some feedback both positive or negative.

4 Responses

Michelle Epps writes:
March 3rd, 201012:28 pmat

We can discuss these ideas at the next meeting maybe using the floor map as a blueprint to how things should be set up. Keep the ideas coming though!
Kieth Peppers writes:
March 2nd, 20101:27 pmat

I wasn’t thinking of the pylons as emphasizing the air races so much as something related to aviation that took up minimal floor space, was relatively cheap to make, and would act as something three dimensional that could guide people around the oddly shaped floor space. I thought they could have Bendix or red and white checkers on them and the red floor stickies could loop around them directing visitors to the next area. But if it is tacky then that defeats the purpose of trying to create a great exhibition. The stickies work well with the map idea as well. My feelings about Michelle’s idea of dividing up the aviators geographically may lead to weird display combinations: an old button, and model airplane, and a space helmet. I really don’t have a good suggestion for organization myself. I’s still trying to wrap my brain around the space, the point of the exhibit, and what can and cannot move. It’s very challenging. I do strongly feel as though we need to make the space more visually stimulating.
Matt Seaman writes:
March 2nd, 201012:45 pmat

Both of these ideas will work together (Pylons and Geographic Map) . . . The only fear I have with the pylons is that they may look tacky, but that is something under our control! The pylons should be cohesive in terms of style. Making replicas of pylons used during the air races only tells the story of those women who flew in them. If we were to come up with something that tells the whole story of the women, I’d be up for it. Due to the length of the exhibition space, the floor stickies are a great idea. It would give visitors concrete directions and eliminate confusion.
Michelle writes:
March 1st, 20107:59 pmat

I think it’s a great idea but will have to run it by Toni. But I was thinking, and it is just a suggestion, is break up the pilots geographically. For visitor “guidance” you can use an image of Ohio with the section of the state highlighted by the appropriate panels or display cases. Just an idea.