Redisplaying the collections
Gallery of the Greek Bronze Age
Collections are currently displayed with a traditional emphasis on typology. Crossing Cultures-Crossing Time is a new display strategy that will change the way visitors experience the collections. It has been developed in collaboration with exhibition designers Metaphor. Based on the idea that objects can be understood in many different contexts, from their conventional historical settings to cross-culturally as objects with universal functions, the strategy aims to stimulate an enquiring and reflective attitude towards the cultures and civilizations that have shaped the world in which we live.
The Crossing Cultures-Crossing Time galleries will be spread over three floors:
- The Crossing Cultures floor will explore how objects and activities can be compared across cultures, and will include a Materials Gallery, Functions Gallery and a Human Image Gallery.
- The two Crossing Time floors will explore the interaction of east and west throughout history. The Ancient World galleries will plot the emergence, flowering and diffusion of classical cultures connecting the Mediterranean with Iran, Central Asia and Europe from prehistory to 700AD. The Making of the Modern World galleries will take up the story from 700AD to the present, examining the intermingling of cultural influences through trade, voyages of discovery and the transfer of technology and ideas.
- On each floor Orientation Galleries will outline the main concepts presented and map out exploration routes. Key objects placed at the centre of each gallery will convey the main themes, while more dense displays around gallery perimeters will satisfy those who wish to learn more. This will highlight collection strengths and create a learning environment catering to every level of experience and knowledge. All galleries will have prominent information panels, timelines and maps. New format labelling and a range of interactive devices will further enhance the visitor experience.
Follow this link for more information about the galleries that will be created by the Ashmolean Plan.
