科技博物館展示製作管理技術之探討－以科工館常設展示製作為例

Exploring the Management Techniques of Exhibition Production in Science Museums-An Example of Permanent Exhibitions in National Science and Technology Museum

李如菁

《科技博物》 3卷5期 (1999/09) Pp. 33-47

https://doi.org/10.6432/TMR.199909.0033

並列摘要

So far the development museums business in Taiwan has seen the opening of many institutions which have the best intentions in mind when they were established. But we should remember that ideals must be firmly grounded in reality, and the fabrication of exhibition is one of the truest tests of the principles involved in a museum. This is because exhibition not only convey the spirit of a museum; they are also the central tool for communicating a museum's principles to visitors. Fabrications of exhibitions must be of high quality and based on extensive experienced in order to present the fullest expression of the planning and design behind it.
This article discusses some of the lessons learned during four years of participation in fabrication of the exhibition galleries for the National Science and Technology Museum. It begins by focusing on the museum itself and goes on to discuss the management and skills involved in producing exhibits for the museum. The article contains three main parts: the first two take a general look at the share out of work in exhibition fabrication and bidding that is involved; and the third deals with problems which commonly arise during the process of production as well as some suggestions on how they might be handled.
Exhibition fabrication usually entails the six following processes among others: (1) production of main structures; (2) labels; (3) A/V programs & hardware; (4) interactive exhibit units; (5) models and panaramas; and (6) artifacts.
When museum curators are overseeing the execution of a project, they will be better able to control the various elements of the exhibit and the main points in their execution if they fully understand each part of the jobs associated with it. They will also be able to communicate more clearly with the different professionals involved in developing a project and make the abstract ideals and values of the museum a very real part of the display being developed.
There are five general areas where the museum is involved in the fabrication of exhibition: (1) the selection of outside contractors; (2) development and inspection of shop drawings; (3) work shop production; (4) on-site production and assembly; and (5) acceptance and hand over. All of these steps are closely inter-related, and museum personnel should maintain careful control of key points at every stage. Fabrications should be closely monitored to ensure the highest quality in their work and avoid any problems which might interfere with subsequent steps in the process.
Some of the problems frequently encountered in the fabrication of an exhibits are: (1) overall production by the museum itself or by a contractor; (2) overseeing of production by the museum itself or by an outside agency; (3) open bidding vs. direct awarding of contracts; (4) outside contracting vs. production within the museum; (5) use of domestic or international contractors; (6) turn-key contract or several contracts; (7) fabrication timetable and stick to the deadline.
Museum curators should be skillful and alert in handling every problem they encounter, making clear-cut decisions and never looking back; these are decisions which will ultimately determine what the displays will be like. But because of the different values involved and the many ways that a task can be carried out, there naturally will not be a single solution to each problem that arises. The museum must evaluate the available budget and human resources together with the nature and size of the exhibition, to decide upon the most expedient method of action.
In addition, hard work and diligence on the part of museum curators will help to foster a greater willingness to put out more by outside contractors and agents. After all, this is the best way to handle any complex and challenging assignment.