I chose to visit the Frederick R. Weisman Museum at Pepperdine University in Malibu last week to view their current exhibition, Pacific Red. Pacific Red features work by Larry Bell, a contemporary artist whose minimalist collages and geometric abstract sculptures were an important part of California’s Light and Space art movement in the 1960s. The Weisman is a small museum so I was interested to see how, and if, they were utilizing technology to attract visitors. I had not been in several years and did not remember seeing any sort of iPad or video technology, so I was curious if any of this was implemented now.
The first thing I noticed was that the wall text was very minimal. There was a large introductory poster with a photo of Larry Bell and three small labels for each of the three works installed in the museum. The three main works were Light Knots, coated sheets of Mylar film that hung from the ceiling, Church Studies, a collection of mixed media collages, and Pacific Red, a freestanding glass sculpture. Additionally, the second floor featured items from his private collection. The labels for the three main installations were not placed next to or underneath any of the works; instead, they were placed around the corner. Visitors seemed to be searching for the labels and there was this need to read something while looking at the objects.
There was no technology in terms of videos, iPads, guided tours, or interactive stations, and part of this is because the museum is very small. However, they did have several handouts. One was a sort of DIY art project to make your own glass sculpture inspired by Bell’s art. Another included comprehensive questions to answer once the visitor has walked around the museum, such as: “Would you want this artwork in your house? Why or why not?” I thought it was intriguing that this lack of technology really places an emphasis on experiencing the objects for yourself. The minimal wall text reflects the theme of the minimal art works, and allows the visitor to interpret and experience the space without outside influences. This focus on the artwork in turn highlights the technology used in the art, such as the iridescent film in the hanging Light Knots that spin and dance around, slowly creating shadows along the floor and walls. The collages have colors that reflect the light differently depending on where you stand to experience it. Pacific Red allows you to walk around and in between it, and experience different ways of seeing as you view yourself through the mirror-like quality of the colored glass, but also the entire museum and other visitors. There is this play with the properties and reflection of light and ephemerality in all of his works that create this really sensual experience.
One visitor commented that it felt liberating to view the artworks without excessive wall text or instructional videos, and it made the experience of museum-going more fun and intuitive rather than educational. The lack of technology helped foster this more curious and inquisitive way to view and discuss the artworks. There was a lack of self-conscious behavior about having to interpret the text or artworks the “right” way. One thing this leaves me wondering, is how technology can be used to create this kind of experience? It seems that not every museum will have the benefit of choosing not to use technology like The Weisman has, because many will feel the pressure to keep up with the changing digital age to stay relevant.
This sounds like a unique way to experience an artist’s collection! I really like your take on the exhibition and how you mentioned the liberating feeling that comes with being able to interpret the pieces outside of wall text and constrained explanations. It would be really interesting to see a museum like this incorporate technology that allows visitors to interact through digital DIYS.
I love how this museum uses minimal text in these exhibits to create a truly unique museum experience! I really agree with the visitor’s point about the lack of text creating a more liberating and intuitive museum visit. We are so used to having the text impose a certain experience and interpretation upon us, in a way that the museum shapes our experience. Without that text to shape our experience, we can define it freely through our personal experiences and interactions with the exhibit. In this exhibit, the lack of words allowed visitors to really experience and reflect on particular details of the exhibit and its set up– as you pointed out, the shadows, lighting, etc.
Typically, we think of digital components of a museum as a way to provide more context or background information, and I thought it was really interesting how this exhibit decided to do the opposite. As you discussed, it is definitely a valuable experience to be able to freely look at art without any outside influences, and I found myself wondering if technology can or cannot be used to create that kind of experience as well.