Well said, Curtis!

On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 4:51 PM, Curtis Morris <[log in to unmask]>wrote:

>  As a former professional mechanic and having built my own home, I’ve
> spent a lot of time considering “alternative” sources for exhibit “stuff.”
> We use a lot of commonly available items from home centers, auto parts
> stores, industrial supply houses, and etc. to build exhibits with.  Rarely
> does anything get scrapped around here that I don’t first strip it for
> parts.
>
>
>
> Just like the Myth-Busters, we rarely use things as they were intended, but
> (usually) get the job done.  Just don’t get over your head with things like
> electrical wiring and don’t run afoul of building safety and fire codes,
> etc.  Know when to call people with licenses.  Safety first, then have fun.
>
>
>
> Curtis Morris
>
> Exhibits
>
> Shiloh Museum of Ozark History
>  ------------------------------
>
> *From:* Cass Karl [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
> *Sent:* Friday, October 08, 2010 4:34 PM
>
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Subject:* Re: [MUSEUM-L] Exhibit (displays) on the Cheap
>
>
>
> I would agree that one should not skimp on technology- generally it will
> not be worthwhile.  However, there *are* places where costs can be cut when
> designing an exhibit.  Most people never think beyond either what they have
> immediately on hand (a stapler and scotch tape= free) or what they see in
> Exhibit Builder (= thousands of $$).  There *is* a middle ground to be had,
> it just takes creativity and common sense to find it.
>
> On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 2:54 PM, unknown <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> On subject #1 : “There’s never enough money to do it right the first time,
> and always enough money to do it twice because it got screwed up the first
> time.”
>
>
>
> “cheap” encoder $26.50  “expensive” encoder $450
>
> Life expectancy of cheap encoder : 24 hours after opening day, fudging and
> daily maintenance to keep it going thereafter
>
> Life expectancy of expensive encoder : 10 years absolute minimum if applied
> correctly (which costs more money)
>
> Difference in gallery: “Out of order again” sign
>
>
>
> “cheap” resistive touchscreen $350  “expensive” capacitive touchscreen $800
>
> Life expectancy of resistive touchscreen: until someone decides to rub it
> with a nail or a coin
>
> Life expectancy of capacitive touchscreen: years
>
> Difference in gallery: “Out of order again” sign
>
>
>
> “cheap” signage $100 “expensive” equivalent $250
>
> Difference in gallery: edges peeling on sign
>
>
>
> It is truly better spend money on quality and have a few very good things
> than it is to spend a little money everywhere and have something that
> doesn’t work and looks shabby inside of a few weeks….
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> *From:* Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]] *On
> Behalf Of *Cass Karl
> *Sent:* Friday, October 08, 2010 12:07 PM
> *To:* [log in to unmask]
> *Subject:* Re: [MUSEUM-L] Exhibit (displays) on the Cheap
>
>
>
> Laurie,
>
> When exactly is your conference? Where is it to be held?  I live in SE
> Texas, but have friends in the Atlanta area who I have been trying to visit
> for a while now.  I co-led a workshop for the Wisconsin Federation of
> Museums on cost-effective exhibit design, so I believe I'd be qualified.
> Please send me more information to the email below.  Good luck!
>
> -Cass Karl
>
> [log in to unmask]
>
> On Fri, Oct 8, 2010 at 12:38 PM, las <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Hello:
>
>
>
> I am a curator at a small museum in West Georgia.  I am tired of looking at
> my own exhibits and thinking "surely this could look better!", feeling like
> some of my text looks one step above an elementary school bulletin board!
> Sometimes I feel like I am the only one who doesn't know the secret of
> quality displays with little expense and all of you are experts at it,
> because I am often very impressed at the brilliant suggestions that come
> across this email in regards to text, lebels, production, furniture, etc.
> Well, because I have just about had it with my own limitations in these
> areas, I am potentially planning to moderate a conference session at
> January’s Georgia Asso of Museums and Galleries on the topic of
> cost-conscious exhibit design/fabrication and are currently looking for
> people who would like to be on our panel.  The three topics areas are:
>
> 1.       Interactives (mechanical, hands on, audio, video, intro films,
> interactive kiosks, etc),
>
> 2.       Furniture and supports (platforms, pedestals, acrylic bonnets,
> cases (all-in-one), artifact supports and artifact mounts, etc),
>
> 3.       Graphics (large background photographs, smaller images, titles,
> text, i.d. labels, graphic panels, etc)
>
>
>
> Now, I am guessing that not many of you are here in the south, but if you
> are or would like to attend our conference, or just, by chance, are passing
> through (yea, right!) and could potentially be on my panel, and you are one
> of those brilliant people out there who knows the secret of fabricating
> these types of things (mostly in house, especially for #2 and #3) at very
> little cost but WITHOUT sacrificing/compromising quality, please respond to
> this email and I will contact you to discuss further off list.
>
>
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Laurie Sedicino, Curator
>
> Legacy Museum on Main
>
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