Exhibition : Whispers of the Lost

The Identity wordmark is constructed to reflect the bi-lingual nature of the exhibition and pay homage to Latino heritage, while signifying a respectful, serious approach.¶



This project in an attempt to design an exhibition revolving around the idea of a "memorial" in the space, supposedly provided by the Denver-based Museo de las Americas — a place dedicated to enriching the understanding of the achievements of the Latino people. The Subject of memorial has some inherently unsettling connotations, and is heavily linked with subjects of death and glory. I decided to somewhat refrain from the historical outlook at grave sites and battles, and to shift into a cultural sphere. The primary propose the exhibition is to serve as a figural requiem for the lost traditions and beliefs that have formed the tapestry of the Latino culture.¶

The exhibition will feature a selection of legends and artifacts from three distinct South-American tribes. The Yekuana, living along the riverbanks in the Amazon rain forest in Venezuela. The Karaja, who reside in the vast lowlands of the Matto Grosso of Brazil. And the Bora (Bore-uh) Indians dwelling deep in the Peruvian Amazon along the Amapayaco River. These three are chosen because while being relatively unknown, the tribes themselves still exist to this day, and carry forth amazing visual and storytelling traditions.¶

The pattern in the carpet shows tri-colored threads running thought the exhibition and thought to the hut platform, as a metaphor of the exhibition arrangement (three cultures sharing the space of the hut). The white waving line shows the anticipated path of a visitor.¶

The primary navigational element in the exhibition space, as well as a device that separates the environment into conceptual zones, is a patterned carpet, forcelessly guiding the viewer. Additional, the angular walls are aimed to suggest the initial direction. Once the visitor precedes to the hut, the backsides of the informational displays also acts as navigationary clues, linking the hut experiences with specific culture-zones.¶

The space will be dominated by a stylized hut, cut in half to allow for an easier access to wonders concealed in it's interior. It will be decorated with pottery, rugs and baskets appropriate for the setting, along with a number of cushions that the visitors can upon if they so desire (for the convenience of those less prone to active engage the space, the area outside the hut will be left open). A device, hidden in the roof will project a video onto the stretched skin on the far wall of the dwelling, illustrating the tale that will be played on the headphones (that the visitors will be encouraged to retrieve from the nice in the outer wall surrounding the hut) in both English and Spanish.¶

Map of South America

An important part of
the identity system, is
a set of patterns derived
from the aesthetic
found in the works of
the individual tribes,
and the tales that are
being shown. These
patters, double as
decorative and way-
finding elements.

The photographs are
taken from a 1/46th
scale model of the
environment,
developed as part
of the project.