Storytelling Exhibitions

Philip Hughes is an exhibition designer. Since graduating from the Royal College of Art in London, he has designed exhibitions for museums around the world, most recently for Ralph Appelbaum Associates. He has also taught design at a number of universities in the UK, where he lives and works.

A timely and comprehensive publication, replete with ideas and exemplary work. It is timely because it unpacks and explores many of the extraordinary challenges that the 21st century needs to address, such as climate change and social justice.

• 1 - StoryDynamic area of practiceBreaking with conventionWhy story?Developing the storyExpressing the ‘Big Idea’Who is it for?Can tech provide ‘super powers’ for the future exhibition?A fundamental part of exhibitions2 – AuthorshipWho can make an exhibition?Is the world of exhibitions changing?Empowering ‘activist’ exhibitionsCuration and co-curationMuseums working with their communitiesContested histories3 – ExhibitsThe ‘ingredients’ of exhibitionsContemporary collecting and the ‘activist’ exhibitionUsing exhibition assetsThe 'stuff' of future exhibitions4 – IdentityMuseums of identityA new narrativeAn opportunityThe complex legacies of world museumsRepatriationA new chapter for the storytelling exhibition5 – WonderThe feeling of ‘awe’Fun6 – TruthA raging disputeReconstructing eventsSuperpowersUsing new techniques to represent people, the possibilities of new technologiesExploring fake newsThe future of the real7 – VirtualGoing onlineMaking a virtual exhibition from scratchHow artists reach their audiencesTranslating the viral success of a video into tangible benefitsThe impact of Covid-19An online exhibitionVirtual toursA ‘live’ platformHow museums can use new platformsStandout online exhibitionsAn 'elastic' approach8 - FutureA future storyThe increased use of digital collections in museumsCommunication of wonderMuseums and truthBalancing physical and online experienceSustainabilityExhibition makers of tomorrowNotesBibliographyAcknowledgementsCreditsIndex