I think the main characteristics that make an exhibition space great are interaction, its ability to tell a story, and its ability to show its purpose. If a space can make you feel something or think critically about something, it is great.
The first exhibition space/ museum that I really enjoyed as a child was the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, DC.
This museum has a layout that is easy to follow, but also allows for freedom of path. It had an open layout and includes actual retired planes on display. on every level. Each piece of machinery had a story about someone who used it in the past, or what its purpose was as scientists continued to learn more. It also had a gift shop, a place to eat, and because of how large the exhibition areas needed to be, it made it seem incredibly magical. It was my favorite museum as a child, and therefore will always be at the top of my list for triggering imagination through interaction.
The second exhibition space/ museum that is at the top of my list is the night tour of Alcatraz in SF.
I really enjoyed this space because most of the history of the actual island and its buildings were in tact. Other than the gift shops and ferry docks, it was a very real-feeling experience. They did an incredible job of guiding you through Alcatraz’s story. The authenticity of the space made it feel creepy and added to the effect. Within the main prison, you listen to an audio-track with stories from the prisoners and guards as you are lead through the building. At the end, it takes you to the cafeteria of the prison that workers once ate in, and told the stories of the prisoners. One area also displayed the modern issues with the prison system, and made the overall purpose of the space very clear in terms of racial inequity and mental health. The problems that existed decades ago still existing today and being boldly displayed are why this exhibition is at the top of my list, as well as the incredible interactive aspects of it.
My last and most favorite exhibition space I have ever been to is located at the Eden Project in England. The Eden Project is an educational space that was transformed into an interactive experience from an old mining hole in the ground. Within the Eden Project, there were hostels to stay in, museums, a place to eat, a gift shop, and a rainforest biome that you were able to go into and learn about. The main aspects that made this so special were the interactive pieces, the story of mining and how the land was transformed, and the overall purpose of land restoration shown throughout the educational experience. The biome was so vast for an enclosed space, and the inclusion of natural ecosystems within a built space was unlike anything I had ever seen. This was the first time that I was truly inspired by the interaction between the built world and the natural world, making this exhibition my favorite overall.
