[ePub] Exhibitions: Concept; Planning and Design by Tom Klobe at Arts-Photography

Review

0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Beautiful and captivating. Klobes book is one to treasureBy DIANA L. SCHOENFELDWith Exhibitions: Concept. Planning and Design Tom Klobe has created a book to be savored for decades for many reasons. This beautifully designed overview of his work as exhibition designer informs. instructs. and illustrates an encyclopedic knowledge of the uses of art and design in an arrestingly elegant manner. Through it he shares the philosophical thought and aesthetic vision that nourishes his career as educator. artist. and lover of cultural experience. While Professor/Gallery Director at the University of Hawaii Department of Art. he conceived. developed. and taught one of the first courses in museum interpretation within a U.S. university. Since 1977 he shared his passion through the creation of stunning museum exhibitions in which his commitment was deeply felt. as well as seen. One experiences similar care in this literary and pictorial journey through the presentation of fifty exhibitions. accompanied by illuminating text that will not be forgotten. The cover shows his 1984 award-winning installation of 10th - 18th century Greek and Russian icons. The deep burgundy environment of arches. apses and alcoves evokes a Byzantine church-like setting in which the religious images appear to radiate their own light. The effect is both solemn and breathtaking - a preview of what will be found in this deeply thoughtful book.Extraordinary as the illustrated exhibition ldquo;case studiesrdquo; are. it is Klobersquo;s captivating texts that ground this book in the finest of educational experiences. As if being spoken to and personally guided. one is given a thorough course in every aspect of the exhibition process starting with definition of the elements and principles of design. and how wise use. both subtle and dramatic. guides. informs. and enhances viewer appreciation of cultural objects in visually and emotionally compelling ways. Examples of theory in practice are found in the case study texts. In the award-winning Koa Furniture of Hawaii (1981)". . .the dark green color for the walls and platforms (was)chosen to emphasize the forest origins of the wood andprovide a contrast to the rich. warmly lit colors of furniture.The color was determined beneath a spreading koa tree withcareful consideration given to the tones and luminosity of thefoliage."Klobersquo;s writing is immensely readable. being both academic and personal. ldquo;I learned patience and a sense of perfectionism from my parents. They instilled in me a deep respect for the dignity of work.rdquo; This is enormously affirming to anyone who works to achieve the very best. His sincere and open tone invites readers into the complexities of exhibition planning and execution as if actually participating in the process - from identifying the merest hint of a thematic idea. as discussed in Keia Wai Ola: This Living Water (1994). through research and analysis. and the physical. sometimes emotional work required to bring an exhibition to public presentation in a socially relevant. memorable way.The pragmatic business of fundraising is discussed along with tools and equipment. architectural construction. technical and aesthetic lighting. physical labor. often international human teamwork. and the creative spark that transforms daunting obstacles into fresh possibilities. The scale models created for each project are themselves an art form. The vast complexities - and difficulties - inherent in this work are described at length in the 6-page case study of Writing with Thread: Traditional Textiles of Southwest Chinese Minorities (2008) which"explored the meanings associated with the production anduse of indigenous clothing. The exhibition. the largest and mostcomprehensive of its kind. featured the most inclusive collectionof southwest Chinese ethnic minority costumes in the world. Itshowcased over 500 objects from 15 ethnic groups and nearly100 subgroups. . . . Over six years of planning. research. preparationand care went into presentation (at three) museum venues."Klobersquo;s thorough discussions are compelling because they spring from his devotion to this fascinating. interdisciplinary. art and humanity engaged work - including the myriad challenges it presents. Opening the book at random one is immersed in color photographs and fascinating descriptions of individual exhibitions presented chronologically. The topics of origin. development. installation and sensual impact of each project are discussed in detail. The text for each exhibition is often intoxicating because of Klobersquo;s rich use of language. Through his words. he brings the objects and exhibition environment alive again in a new and lasting way. For example:"An inexplicable and ethereal atmosphere of quiet color andsubdued light permeated the exhibition Pattern and Purpose:Japanese Fishermenrsquo;s Coats from Awaji Island. The installationallowed an overriding aesthetic to come into being that reacheda higher order than rationally could be accounted for by thestunning individuality of the coats. With its simplicity andunderstatement a kind of magic occurred. and the whole becamewonderfully and astonishingly beautiful. The visitor appeared toexperience another world. one in which time seemed to standstill. frozen in the poignant moment between the achievement ofunpretentious perfection and the beginning of decay. . . .The dark gray-blue walls unremittingly cast a mood of coldand stormy seafaring drama reinforced by the recorded mutedsounds of wind. waves. and the calls of sea birds . . . .The coats (19th and early 20th century. made of indigo-dyed fabriccovered in complex decorative patterns stitched in white) were supportedon clear acrylic tubes suspended from the ceiling by monofilament . . .above panels of Remay stretched between pier-like blocks . . . . TheRemay. with its diaphanous and supple qualities. elicited a gentlemovement that evoked a cognitive association with water and the sea."A Journey Through Chinese Hell (1997) presents two sets of ten ldquo;colorful and didacticrdquo; hell scrolls from Taiwan in this installation:"Towering walls of (a narrow) passage were painted deep redbrown - described by some as the color of dried blood. A four-footwide opening in the center led to hell with its convoluted. almostclaustrophobic. dark passages. The scrolls were presented insubtly lit alcoves that allowed visitors to gather and carefullyobserve the tortuous punishments inflicted on the hapless soulsas they are judged by the bureaucratic and impassive kings ofthe underworld."~~~~~~A 1989 transformation of typewritten ideas into a luminous photographic exhibition demonstrates Klobes astonishing interpretive instinct. Under his direction. my exploration of the picture-within-the picture in the creative history of photography became Symbol and Surrogate: The Picture Within (1989). Two years of collaborative research and correspondence to scores of museums and other lenders preceded the opening of the show. Uninformed about what to expect. upon entering the darkened gallery I was awestruck. The entire gallery was painted a medium gray where one became absorbed in a world of glowing images. The exhibition title. arresting in vibrant red. was hand-painted on a horizontal panel facing the entrance; while revealing floor and ceiling. it obscured the deep exhibition space behind. A tiny 19th century daguerreotype. and a tintype. both jewel-like in the darkened space. were the first presented. The viewer was simultaneously embraced and guided along passageways designed for intimate viewing. into nooks and eddies where one paused among conceptual images associated with excerpts from the essay. Space expanded for display of spectacular large pieces. from which one continued. following the intricate. labyrinth-like installation. into other conceptual zones. reemerging. finally. at the beginning. Klobersquo;s presentation of the 158 thematically linked. but physically diverse photographic objects. each one containing a unique auxiliary picture(s) within its individual frame. was elegant. and felt tranquil. but deceptively so. For as one journeyed through the exhibition. an unexpected array of visual ldquo;double-takes.rdquo; perceptual illusions. and surprising twists and turns of meaning were revealed via the pictorial symbols and surrogates contained in the imagery.Tom Klobersquo;s ability to bring intellectual ideas and cultural materials to life on the exhibition stage is a form of genius that can feel like magic. The tragedy is that these remarkable exhibitions were temporal. Through his creative vision and the participation of many. they came into being. like theatrical performances. to captivate for limited engagements. and then vanish. But through his willingness to once more inform and illustrate. this master designer has compiled complex cultural and educational material into another inspiring presentation. His book is a deeply felt expression of his lifersquo;s work. captivating from start to finish. a rare and nourishing gift to be treasured for years to come.0 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Just wish I could have my money backBy annaThis is not a "handy manual" as advertised. Its a collection of stories for the most part. I need my money back.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. What is good exhibiton design?By Lisa Solomine"Good exhibition design promotes thought and feeling through the creation of an emotionally charged space-an environment that engulfs visitors. pulls them forward. and draws them into the story and its meaning. It intensifies them well before they have time to read the didactic messages." (Tom Klobe)Exhibitions Concept. Planning and Design. offers an invaluable plethora of information and personal insights towards understanding design. space. communication. collaboration. and the process of successful exhibitions. It is truly a "must have/must read" for both student and practitioner alike as an important resource and tool that can only benefit all doers in this field. This book walks the reader systematically through the elements and principles of design. provides a myriad of significant examples. and reveals transformative aspects involved in the pragmatic making and practical preparing for an exhibition. Its approach reads as a chorus of instruction. which is highly informative yet. sensitive. detailed. philosophical and inspiring.This book is also a unique testament to a lifetime of involvement in art and design by one curious and creative human being. Tom Klobe. founding Director of the University of Hawaii Art Gallery. and professor emeritus. guides the reader on his amazing journey and passage of time as traveler. scientist. humanist. and most explicitly. as a master of exhibition design.