THE MURTOGH D. GUINNESS COLLECTION
THE MORRIS MUSEUM
Morristown, NJ
The Murtogh D. Guinness Collection of Mechanical Musical Instruments and Automata is one of the most significant of its kind in the world. SKOLNICK planned this permanent exhibition of over 150 objects from the collection to be displayed in a new gallery addition at the Morris Museum in Morristown, NJ.
Services
Exhibition Planning
Exhibit Graphic Design
Size
4,000 sf
TECHNOLOGY, HISTORY, AND CRAFTSMANSHIP
After viewing a brief introductory video in an abstracted Victorian drawing room setting, visitors can view objects from the Collection in three thematic exhibition areas. One part of the exhibit emphasizes the scientific and technological aspects of the Collection, while another explores social historical themes. The exquisite craftsmanship and elaborate movement of the automata are featured in the third thematic area.
AN EXPERIENCE FOR ALL AGES
A workshop area in the Morris Museum engages families and school children with the collection through various interactive exhibits. Period imagery, vibrant graphics and abstracted vignette environments are used to contextualize the objects on display. Throughout the exhibit, audio listening devices, video, and live demonstrations bring the spectacular objects of the Murtogh D. Guinness Collection to life.
“Designing an exhibition on a topic as obscure as mechanical musical instruments and automata is no mean feat. SKOLNICK managed to create something that treated these unique objects with respect and yet contextualized them and brought them to life in ways that no installation has ever done. We have had wonderful feedback from our visitors…many exclaim how amazing the immersive environments are, and how they feel as if they have entered another world.
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