This is a continuing report on the development of the "art-science lab," which will debut at the Reeves ASK Science Center on September 22, 2007. I'm serving as the lead curator (or organizer) and these are my observations on the design and implementation process:

In the next development phase of the art-science exhibition, the design team (AKA curators) submitted an exhibition proposal to Kathleen Monaghan, the Executive Director of the Met. Ms. Monaghan was enthusiastic about our conception and gave us approval to move forward.

The team of curators was excited by the news. Now we had to create a detailed budget and determine the necessary steps to implement the exhibition. At this stage in the development, it was critical to add to our design team the Met’s Chief Preparator and Art Handler Mike Weatherson, who would be responsible for building the main components of the exhibition (walls, tables, interactive objects, etc.).

Each exhibition station (gallery, woodcut, patterns, camera obscura, video project, library, flower dissection, mind map) was assigned a “point person.” The point person was charged with expanding activities and objects for their station and was asked to submit a detailed summary to the group.

The team continued to meet weekly. In mid-June, we realized we had more ideas and activities than we could realistically bring together by September. One member of our group suggested we prioritize goals for each station. It was a “simple” recommendation but it helped erase the paralyzed feeling that was creeping through our bodies. Once we prioritized our objectives, we sought approval from Ms. Monaghan and we were good to go again.

In designing an exhibition of this complexity and scope, it has been very helpful to have detailed minutes of each and every meeting. The Met’s Curator of Permanent Collection, Kristina Hornback, has generously taken on this project, which has helped keep the team of curators focused and on task.

In July, the exhibition design team met with members of the community and staff to seek their input on the developing art-science exhibition. What happened next? Find out in my ensuing blog!

Posted by Teresa España, Director of Education and Interpretation.