PROFESSIONAL
BECOMING LOS ANGELES National History Museum SPF:a Location:Los Angeles, CA Client:National History Museum Completion: Schematic Design
BECOMING LOS ANGELES is an exhibition about the natural and cultural history of Los Angeles for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.The exhibition will be permanently installed in four of the museum’s spaces. The core stories and experiences on exhibit are the Prologue, Shifts 1, 2,3,4, and 5, the Immersive Media Installation, and the Twin Tables. The concept of the ‘grain’ was utilized during the Concept Design Phase as an organizing theme by which to formulate a design approach. This concept manifests itself in a flowing ribbon-like three dimensional surface that flows through the gallery space and guides the visitor through the exhibition. Made from bronze anodized aluminum, the canopy’s pattern and configuration evolves and reconfigures, reinforcing the themes and transformations of the storries being told within the exhibit. At times, the canopy appears to ‘touch down’ to the ground and integrate with a case, highlighting the key objects representing critical points in the history of Los Angeles; at others, it recedes into the background, arching high above the cases and objects below. In this way, the canopy and cases work together to further enhance the understanding of a shift. A common material palette of bronze anodized aluminum, ultra clear glass and white venetian plaster and runs throughout the exhibition. The inner world of the case at times will provide a neutral background, responding sympathetically to objects within, or form a counterpoint to the materiality of the objects. Accent of texture, color, reflection, translucency and opacity are used judiciously to support narrative of the objects and stories that lie within. The intent is to create an experience that evokes the spirit of Los Angeles’ nature/culture history while providing a clear and timeless exhibit.
TAKESHI_KOBAYASHI