For my museum assignment I went to the Udvar Hazy Air and space museum and checked out the World War II Aviation exhibit. I unfortunately haven’t been able to find out who the curator of the exhibit is online or at the museum, but it is a permanent exhibit that was finished on December 15th, 2003. (Im very confused as to why the curator is not listed either online or on the signs at the museum) The exhibit was about military planes and the gear that the pilots wore in World war II.
The objects, artifacts, and items that are within the exhibit are military planes from World War II and military aviation gear from that era. One of the items that I found interesting was a fighter jacket that stated, “Belle of the Brawl” and had bombs on the back for each mission completed.
The aviation gear was held within glass cases and the Airplanes were spread about in the middle of the exhbit. The exhibit was layed out in a big square that started and ended at the aviation gear so it did not matter which way you went. The presentation of the items was well thought out and each item had an identification label.
As far as the use of digital technology goes there wasn’t much of it within this exhibit but they did have a couple videos about specific airplanes that one could watch as they are examining a plane. The device had a touchpad where you could start the video but that was as far as it went when it comes to digital tech in this exhibit.
The argument of this exhibit seemed to be how war created a need for technological advancement in aviation and how these advancements allowed the US to defeat their enemies in World War II. I think the curator hoped to show their audience how things such as War although terrible, can cause great advancements in technology. I don’t think that this is a new interpretation of the odjects or materials displayed, it is just a well layed out exhibit that allows people to easily learn the information provided.
I believe that the target audince is military and aviation enthusiasts along with people who enjoy history and would like to know more about it. The reason I think this is because it gives the basics of World War II aviation without using Jargon that only Military or aviation historians would use.
The challenges that I think the curator and or institution faced are the cost of the exhibit, the size of the objects, and the layout. I think that the cost of this exhibit would have been very high due to the fullsize planes that are in the exhibit. Each one of the planes with restoration would cost hundred of thousands of dollars a piece and that doesn’t include shipping and setting the planes up inside the building. The layout of the exhibit would also have been a challenge due to the size of the objects.
I think that the exhibit achieves its objectives about teaching the basics of World War II military aviation because I was able to quickly comprehend what the curator was trying to impart while also enjoying the beautiful planes that they had aquired for the exhibit. I found the layout to be great as you did not have to follow one specific path to understand the information. Some of the questions that it left me with are, what were the pilots favored planes? and Were there planes that faired better in the pacific vs europe?
Hi Ben.
Here is my feedback on your post. Nicely done!
Introduction: You provide a clear introduction to your museum visit, specifying that you visited the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum and explored the World War II Aviation exhibit. This sets the context for your review and indicates the focus of your observations.
Description of Museum Visit: You offer a detailed description of the exhibit layout and the items on display, including military planes and aviation gear from World War II. Your mention of specific items, such as the “Belle of the Brawl” fighter jacket, adds depth to your review and allows readers to visualize the exhibit.
Use of Digital Technology: You note the limited use of digital technology in the exhibit, mentioning a couple of videos about specific airplanes that visitors could watch. Your observation provides insight into the extent of digital integration in the exhibit and suggests areas for potential improvement.
Argument and Interpretation: You discuss the overarching argument of the exhibit, highlighting how it explores the technological advancements in aviation spurred by wartime needs. Your analysis of the curator’s intention to showcase the impact of war on technology adds depth to your review and demonstrates critical thinking.
Target Audience: You identify the target audience as military and aviation enthusiasts, as well as individuals interested in history. This insight helps readers understand the intended demographic for the exhibit and provides context for your evaluation.
Challenges Faced by Institution: You discuss the challenges faced by the curator and institution, such as the cost of the exhibit, the size of the objects, and the layout. This demonstrates an understanding of the logistical and financial considerations involved in museum curation and adds depth to your analysis.
Evaluation of Objectives: You offer a subjective evaluation of the extent to which the exhibit achieved its objectives. Your assessment that the exhibit effectively teaches the basics of World War II military aviation reflects your understanding of the exhibit’s purpose and content.
Questions Raised: You mention questions that the exhibit left you with, such as the pilots’ favored planes and differences between planes used in the Pacific versus Europe. This demonstrates curiosity and critical engagement with the exhibit content.
Overall, your post effectively communicates your experiences at the museum exhibit and provides insightful reflections on its layout, content, and objectives. Adding more detail about specific planes or artifacts could enhance your review further. Additionally, providing evidence or examples to support your evaluation of the exhibit’s success would strengthen your analysis.