Concept Colliders: The Way forward for Science Museums (metaLAB Tasks)
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A provocative name for the transformation of science museums into “thought colliders” that spark inventive collaborations and connections.
At this time’s science museums descend from the Kunst-und Wunderkammern of the Renaissance—collectors’ non-public cupboards of curiosities—by the Crystal Palace exhibition of 1851 to right now’s “interactive” displays promising instructional enjoyable. On this e book, Michael John Gorman points a provocative name for the transformation of science museums and science facilities from establishments devoted to the transmission of cultural capital to dynamic “thought colliders” that spark inventive collaborations and connections. This new form of science museum wouldn’t stage structured tableaux of science information however would draw scientists into dialog with artists, designers, policymakers, and the general public. Relatively than insulating guests from one another with apps and audio guides, the science museum would contemplate every customer a useful resource, bringing questions, concepts, and experiences from a novel perspective.
Gorman, founding father of the trailblazing Science Gallery, describes three situations for science museums of the long run—the Megamuseum Mall, “the Cirque de Soleil of the science museum world”; the Cloud Chamber, a neighborhood area for conversations and co-creation; and the invisible museum, digital device-driven casual science studying. He discusses hybrids that experiment with science and artwork and science galleries that have interaction with present analysis, encouraging connection, participation and shock. Lastly, he identifies ten key shifts within the evolution of science museums, together with these from massive to small, from interactive to participatory, from enclosed to porous, and from subject-specific to cross-disciplinary.
Writer : The MIT Press (September 15, 2020)
Language : English
Paperback : 184 pages
ISBN-10 : 0262539241
ISBN-13 : 978-0262539241
Merchandise Weight : 9.6 ounces
Dimensions : 5.3 x 0.49 x 7.9 inches
4 reviews for Concept Colliders: The Way forward for Science Museums (metaLAB Tasks)
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Steve M. Potter –
This book is important!
Idea Colliders: The Future of Science Museums is a small but dense delight of a book. Michael John Gorman first describes some of the history of science museums, and then his role in creating the Science Gallery in Dublin. If you have not been there, or to one of its offspring in another city, DO GO. It is a completely novel conception of the science museum. Instead of any permanent collection, it puts on continually-changing themed exhibits that last for a couple of months. These are always edgy, fascinating, thought-provoking, and are designed by collaborations between artists and scientists, who are not museum staff but are brought in by Open Calls. Instead of lots of placards to read, there are Trinity College grad students posted everywhere to engage visitors in discussions sparked by the exhibits. The book describes some of the memorable exhibits that have taken place there (and includes colour photos of them). But more importantly, Gorman gives a very readable and thoughtful analysis of why we ought to change the whole concept of a science museum from a repository of cultural factoids to be absorbed by passive visitors, to being a “vital connective tissue, supporting new and serendipitous social connections between researchers and the public and transforming both in the process”. He emphasizes that science museums can play a crucial social role in connecting the public to scientists and equally, give scientists a clue about what is important to the public, and giving them needed skills in communicating their research to laypeople.Why is this such an important topic right now? Because the very trustworthiness and acceptance of science are under attack, thanks to Parsier’s “filter bubble”, that is, the way social media’s echo chamber tends to polarize and isolate, rather than build bridges. Gorman proposes that a diversity of ever-changing new science museums (in the spirit of the Science Gallery, but locally relevant) can be created that will counter this trend and perhaps save us all. The book spends quite a few paragraphs discussing equity and inclusion. The Science Gallery was conceived to counter the infantilization of science museums by targeting those from ages 15-25, often with adults-only exhibits or events. I am a huge fan of all science museums, but have often felt awkward being the only lone grown man when I attend them without children, as I wait in line with the kids and their moms to play with some interactive exhibit. And too often, I walk away saying, “That was fun, but I still have no idea of the science behind it.” And there is no one standing by whom I can ask, as there is in the Science Gallery.I hope that this book will be read by all who have a part in shaping science museums, to help make them fun, useful and relevant to all ages, and all sectors of society. And if Gorman’s wish comes true, to help rescue us from descending into a new Dark Age where science has lost all credibility.
Amazon Kunde –
This book is about bringing together science, art, design, and technology. It is about the visions of the man who has created Science Gallery in Dublin und is involved in the creation of other such institutions worldwide. And it is about many realized projects that exemplify “collisions” of art, design and technology with the natural sciences in one or another way. I would like to recommend it, not so much as an actual guide on how to create a modern natural history museum and/or science gallery, but rather as an exercise to consider and hone one’s personal understanding of the related topics.Is the concept of artistic freedom compatible with the professional and ethical standards upheld by the scientific community, which regulate scientific conduct from planning and actual hands on work to the tactics of argumentation and presentation? The book quotes an artist writing “There’s a dimension of this issue that brushes into First Amendment rights. I’m an artist, not a scientist. The EPA can’t tell me what I call my work. If I’d like to say it is from Mars, I can do it.” And it is true: distortion, deception, and the breaking of taboos are accepted, if not desired, in the artistic context. But how about science?What “makes sense” in one or the other field? And what decides whether a successful innovative approach is used to complement or to replace other established ones? Specifically, should a “science gallery” complement or rather replace a natural history museum?These are deeply contentious issues concerning present museum projects as well as the Zeitgeist in general. I say this book is a MUST READ for anyone involved in the conception of respective cultural and educational institutions and for any natural scientist and/or contemporary artist or designer in general.
Steve M. Potter –
Idea Colliders: The Future of Science Museums is a small but dense delight of a book. Michael John Gorman first describes some of the history of science museums, and then his role in creating the Science Gallery in Dublin. If you have not been there, or to one of its offspring in another city, DO GO. It is a completely novel conception of the science museum. Instead of any permanent collection, it puts on continually-changing themed exhibits that last for a couple of months. These are always edgy, fascinating, thought-provoking, and are designed by collaborations between artists and scientists, who are not museum staff but are brought in by Open Calls. Instead of lots of placards to read, there are Trinity College grad students posted everywhere to engage visitors in discussions sparked by the exhibits. The book describes some of the memorable exhibits that have taken place there (and includes colour photos of them). But more importantly, Gorman gives a very readable and thoughtful analysis of why we ought to change the whole concept of a science museum from a repository of cultural factoids to be absorbed by passive visitors, to being a “vital connective tissue, supporting new and serendipitous social connections between researchers and the public and transforming both in the process”. He emphasizes that science museums can play a crucial social role in connecting the public to scientists and equally, give scientists a clue about what is important to the public, and giving them needed skills in communicating their research to laypeople.Why is this such an important topic right now? Because the very trustworthiness and acceptance of science are under attack, thanks to Parsier’s “filter bubble”, that is, the way social media’s echo chamber tends to polarise and isolate, rather than build bridges. Gorman proposes that a diversity of ever-changing new science museums (in the spirit of the Science Gallery, but locally relevant) can be created that will counter this trend and perhaps save us all. The book spends quite a few paragraphs discussing equity and inclusion. The Science Gallery was conceived to counter the infantilization of science museums by targeting those from ages 15-25, often with adults-only exhibits or events. I am a huge fan of all science museums, but have often felt awkward being the only lone grown man when I attend them without children, as I wait in line with the kids and their moms to play with some interactive exhibit. And too often, I walk away saying, “That was fun, but I still have no idea of the science behind it.” And there is no one standing by who I can ask, as there is in the Science Gallery.I hope that this book will be read by all who have a part in shaping science museums, to help make them fun, useful and relevant to all ages, and all sectors of society. And if Gorman’s wish comes true, to help rescue us from descending into a new Dark Age where science has lost all credibility.
Miss A R D Koek –
Super interesting book which is not just relevant to science museums but the museum sector as a whole. The writer is the founder and former director of Science Gallery Dublin who also founded the Science Gallery International Network – so who better to write this. Of particular interest is the call for science museums to become the embodiment of Robert Putnam thesis of bridging social capital and being the space for this to happen. Includes a very good short guide calledTen Shifts for Redefining Cultural as well as Michael John laying down once and for all his legacy with Science Gallery Dublin and the whole SGI network.