Dear colleagues,

In the context of an assignment to found a new
museum in France I'd like to suggest a subject,
encourage a discussion, and I ask for your
comments:

1. Theses: Humanoids are not built for museums.

I feel that most museums so far pay little heed to
the physical and mental constitution of their
visitors or do not consider them when planning an
exhibition. Frequently it is not so much a matter
of relaxing experience but of mere survival.

I know quite well that I overdo a little but that
is the way I see the situation at present:

1.1. Usually, the way the visitor is to follow
does not explain itself, it is planned in a way
asking for a considerable mental effort for
orientation. If you must get hold of a general
plan at the entrance and cannot find your way
without it, I don't think the museum a success.

1.2 Seldom exhibitions are structured in a way
that you can get a rough overview on the items and
sub-items and, at the same time, an in-depth view.
If I cannot get and understand the most important
information at first sight, I don't think the
museum a success. Neither is it if I cannot - at a
second glance and following the headlines - get an
in-depth view. Both levels must be interrelated so
that it is easy to find one's way, and hurried
visitors as well as profoundly interested ones
must be helped.

1.3 The information offered at museums is usually
too extensive. If my concentration (according to
my restricted possibilities as Homo sapiens) drops
so soon that I can only enjoy a small part of what
is to be seen, I will leave the museum
frustrated - conquered by the amount of
information.

1.4 Direction of light, colours, floor coverings,
typography, and design etc. often pay no heed to
the physical constitution of visitors. If, after
half an hour, my eyes hurt, my feet are sore, and
I feel a headache coming - things which actually
happen, and usually as early as that, as I learnt
when I interviewed my colleagues and friends - I
cannot get rid of the idea that knowledge transfer
is a  justified - but futile - wish of the
responsible people.

1.5 If the acoustic is such that each school class
but also the next but one audio installation turns
my concentration off, I will keep bad memories of
that house.

1.6 Climatic conditions are frequently causing
visitors to dry up after half an hour. Water -
offered free of charge - would help, but is
nowhere to be found. When I am thirsty, I won't
stay long!

1.7 Rest rooms, areas where you may withdraw,
seats, or even possibilities to actively
physically relax are scarcely offered. Should I
want - like people at a modern model workplace -
to put my legs up, close my eyes or just to relax
by doing some sports, I would stay in that museum
much longer.

This list could be continued.

I don't think this description really exaggerates.

We can see any day how little planners think
customer oriented in the physical and
psychological field. Nice example: When the
"Wellcome Wing" of the London Science Museum was
planned, toilets were not thought of and had to be
built later with a great deal of financial and
planning efforts. The architect took for granted
that people
wouldn't mind at all a 12-minutes walk (worst
case) to the toilets in the entrance of the old
building. Another one: When I was at the
Guggenheim Museum Bilbao last week, it took me 15
minutes even to find the toilets --- there were no
signs!

2. I think that my critical look at the museums'
scenery is an interesting subject for discussion,
isn't it?

3. I am looking for information on museums having
already comprehensively taken account of such
considerations. I don't know any ...

4. Moreover I am looking for information on
existing academic papers on the subject of
"Survival in the Museum". Did anybody ever consult
doctors, psychologists, and ergonomists to discuss
that matter?

Kind regards

Dr. Wolfgang Ebert

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