The Story of Us
Hall of Global Cultures
Cranbrook Institute of Science
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Planning for The Story of Us began in the spring of 2007 with a primary goal of display and interpretation of the very best from the Institute’s nationally recognized cultural collection. 240 artifacts from varied time periods and cultures are featured in an intimate setting both aesthetically beautiful and interpretively rich.
Visitors are greeted by Meg, a virtual guide, using Pepper’s ghost technology. Each of four main content areas include a large, full height display case. Touch screen monitors provide artifact information making in-case labels unnecessary. “Magic books” deliver video content from the pages of a large trompe l’oeil book.
The “Gathering Space” is a centrally located mini-theater featuring programming delivered with Pepper’s ghost technology where Meg appears life-size.
Hutchinson Studios provided design and project management services. Cavala & Associates provided AV services.
The 2,400 s.f. exhibition opened in October 2009
