A lifelike Banyan tree recalls the tropical rainforest at the National Museum of Natural History. Orchids of Latin America (Natural History, January 26-April 21, 2013) explored the crossroads of botany, horticulture, and culture. Exhibit planners wanted to transport visitors to the tropical rainforest, so they requested a dramatic Banyan tree sculpture at the exhibit entrance …
Time and Navigation and a Dog
When the National Air and Space Museum needed a very special dog, they turned to OEC’s Model Shop. In 1839, Charles Wilkes led the U.S. Exploring Expedition into Antarctic waters, accompanied by a large Newfoundland named Sydney. For the exhibition “Time and Navigation: The Untold Story of Getting from Here to There,” NASM planned a …
“The Art of Video Games” Genre Kiosks
Based upon gameplay interaction, in their current exhibit “The Art of Video Games” the Smithsonian American Art Museum (SAAM) divided content into four Genres: Action, Target, Adventure, and Tactics. This taxonomy pretty much summarizes our Fabrication Unit process on the project. Action In July 2011 OEC contracted with SAAM to prototype, then build, twenty …
“As We Grow: Toys, Games, Traditions” at NMAI
by Rosemary Regan, OEC exhibits editor Editing usually involves working on someone else’s writing, but with this project I had the fun of writing an exhibit from scratch. NMAI had decided to put a new exhibit in its “Windows on Collections” cases. The nine cases had previously held beadwork, but since they were located near …
Bracketing Snowboards Isn’t Easy
A new case display about snowboarding opened up at the National Museum of American History this month. The exhibit briefly traces the history/evolution of the snowboard from its beginning to current style. Objects on display in the Snowboard Exhibit include Shaun White's Snowboard and Snowboarding outfit (Coat and Pants), a pair of Hannah Teter's boots, …
3D Printer Gets Press
Smithsonian Magazine just posted an article on their blog about the work OEC is doing with 3D printing.Check it out A 3D Printer Goes to Work For the Smithsonian.
Secretary Clough Comes to OEC
Secretary Wayne Clough paid a visit to OEC last week to view the production process of the latest Museum on Main Street exhibit: The Way We Worked. The exhibit was developed by MoMS and is based on a collection of photographs from the National Archives. The Way We Worked takes a close look at the …
We’re Famous
Check out the write up we got on MAKE: Geek Field Trip Report! Smithsonian Office of Exhibits Central
Milkweed Plant
Recently, modelmaker Danny Fielding and intern Jessica Western helped make the milkweed bugs at the National Museum of Natural History’s Insect Zoo feel a little more at home. Danny and Jessica used their collective expertise to create faux milkweed plants for placement in the bug’s cages to simulate their natural habitat in the offseason when …
The Way We Work
The traveling exhibit The Way We Work is in full swing at OEC. The exhibit was developed by Museums on Main Street and is based on a photo show done by the National Archives. Five copies will be produced and travel to small towns across the United States telling the story of how, why and …