In an ongoing effort to welcome visitors to the sculpture park, LNS has partnered with deCordova Learning and Engagement to explore the possibility of designing new “friendlier” signage within the park and museum.
In doing so, we presented a small group with the challenge of helping Rachael and her colleagues make signs for new visitors that would let them know the many ways they can enjoy the sculptures. Meeting in the courtyard, we discussed visiting some of our favorite sculptures, beginning with Nam June Paik’s Requiem For The 20th Century.
Will “I know what we should put on for the silver car sign. We should put – No touching it.”
Does that sound like it would be a good way for visitors to enjoy the silver car, to have fun with it?
Will “No, the music!”
Alex “You can dance to it!”
Will “and the parts of the music are nice.”
Sam “Wait, one time when it was dark outside there were people showing up in the windows dancing. But it was a little boring but that was ok.”
Moving on, we encountered The Musical Fence by Paul Matisse.
Will “You can listen to the music that people make.”
Alex “Do music!”
The children were on a roll, naturally moving from sculpture to sculpture. Next up was Listening Stone by Joseph Wheelwright.
Will “We can touch it.”
Sam “No!”
Alex “Yes you can – it’s just a rock. Of course you can touch rocks.”
But it’s a sculpture, so even though it’s a rock, can you touch it?
Sam “No.”
Tessa “Climb on it?”
Sam “No.”
Ursula “Sit on it?”
Sam “No.”
Is there any way at all that visitors can enjoy this sculpture?
A unanimous “NO!”
Will “Wait, it’s a little silvery – look at it right here.”
We reached the final stop on our visit, Elizabeth Tubergen’s Double Graves.
Ursula “ Oh, the skateboard park.”
Tessa “Are we gonna climb on it?”
Ursula “Sit on it.”
Will “You can sit on it.”
Tessa “You have to climb and sit on it.”
Ursula “and not jump.”
Alex “ Make a sign – You can sit on it.”
Sam “You can get in between.”
Alex “It’s like a slide you can slide down.”
