Our goal was to make visitors feel as though they were immersed in ancient Peru. Key artifacts, together with diorama, reconstruction of architectural ruins, video, sound and interactive media, were set in chronological order to create themed exhibit zones. For instance, the sound of birds could be heard in the area where feather pieces were displayed and draped fabrics hung as canopies above the market area to create the impression of a local market.

 

 

Threads were used to visually express the relationship between textiles and Peruvian culture. They were also used as a design motif linking all of the exhibit elements together. The motif was applied to the exhibit design spatially, architecturally, graphically and typographically, creating a sense of place.

 

 

Upon arrival at the museum, an installation created by a series of physical threads running from the bottom of the stairs to the second floor visually connects the two exhibit galleries, leading visitors through the exhibit until the threads transform into the outline of the Peruvian map. The pattern was also printed on fabric dividers, graphic panels, inforails and labels. As visitors continued on their journey, the pattern gradually transformed from simple lines to funeral masks, trees, landscapes and products in markets to express the topics featured in different zones. At the finale, visitors were invited to join an interactive weaving experience, where they could create their own pattern using motifs found in the exhibit’s artifacts.