Analysis Of The Material Used In The More We Get Together Exhibition
Material is one of the important aspects when designing an exhibition. It has a part to play in defining a space or object within the exhibition. Similar to the other design aspects, materiality is of great importance to achieve the intended ambience, aesthetic outlook or experiential journey for the end users in an exhibition. Material can’t work on its’ own, it must co-work together with several other design aspects of an exhibition to make it successful. Critically thinking through the selection of materials is also vital in order to achieve the objectives and end experience of the exhibition. Therefore, understanding the intention of the exhibition and target users would aid the thinking process better.
The More We Get Together Exhibition held at National Museum of Singapore focuses on playgrounds in Singapore. The intent of this exhibition is to relive the nostalgic memories and move forward to what playgrounds could possibly be in 2030. Therefore, the first zone of the exhibition which is dedicated to the 1920s to 1960s period of playgrounds, had materials that imitates the outdoors of playground in the indoors. The usage of alternate materials within the exhibition represents the outdoors, earth and sky of a playground. Not only the concept of deception portraying the outdoors through materiality, walking through this zone also brings out the nostalgic young kid within the user. This usage of reflective mirrors is very effective in creating a deceptive sensation and ambience within this first zone. It also achieves the intent of nostalgic at the start of the exhibition. Subsequent zones, had materials that were majority made of laminates of different colours.
The use of some materials like laminates and wallpaper covering makes it simple to work with. Since it is a temporary exhibition the cost and eco-friendly factor would affect the design to a certain extend. Despite the fact that the exhibition is temporary, the representation of the past playgrounds was still a success with alternate choices of materials. The elements like the sandbox and interactive walls depict how the past playgrounds were. People would think that there would be an exact replica of the past playground. But it’s another deceptive play using simpler and cheaper materials to duplicate the essences of the past playgrounds.
Moving into the current playground zone, there’s a huge shift in the usage of materials. Before this zone, the materials were used to create deception and honesty. The materials are now leaning towards form, function and use. As you step into the current playground zone, the flooring is now covered with EDPM. The sensation feels different and comfortable compared to the previous 1974 – 1933 zone of hard flooring. This EDPM material not only acts as an aesthetic view to kids, the safety function and purpose is clearly seen with its soft like texture. The structure in this zone is designed to be functional and of more purpose towards kids’ mental and physical growth. Even though the ceiling has hanging cloth material to simulate as the sky, the zone is clearly defined by function, form and use with the selected materials.
Lastly the future of playground zone, the intent is to see what users actually want to see in the future designs of playgrounds as part of the small research on public opinions. The zone can’t be affected from the previous few zones to eliminate external factors from user’s decision making. The idea of clarity and freedom must exist in this particular zone for truthful feedback and opinions. Therefore, the materials were fully cladded in white to achieve this intent. Honesty in material is vital within this zone. The materials also act as a function for projecting visual images of the future of playground onto a large white wall.
