SHAPE 2017 TateExchange Book FINAL Draft - Flipbook - Page 36
Using Audio in an Exhibition
I used the RNIB PenFriend (an audio recording/labelling tool) as a way of
playing audio within the temporary ‘Into the Blue’ exhibition. Although its
intended use is as a labelling tool for BPS personal use, it is increasingly being
used within the sector as an audio recording and playback device as it is
relatively cheap, reusable, and doesn’t rely on suppliers to make any changes
(you can re-record audio yourselves).
We renamed the PenFriends as ‘sound explorers’ and gave exhibition visitors
a sound explorer and card with dots on that played sound effects when
touched by the PenFriend. Within the exhibition there were more dots on
posts which played sound effects and revealed more information about the
objects – so visitors could play an audio ‘pairs’ matching game. The sound
effects were very popular, bringing objects to life for BPS children:
“It’s brilliant! I love it Mum!” – Louisha; playing the rumble of a volcano for
the first time.
Handling objects were used to enhance the audio (and vice versa), and
we created large format and Braille handouts. We used large banners to
advertise the sound explorers, and trained staff in how to use them, hand out
and recharge batteries.
As audio designer for the exhibition I was involved in planning meetings
from start to finish – the overall schedule for the narrative, supplementary
material, script writing, recording and placement in galleries was 8 weeks.
The budget for creating the audio, promoting it within the museum and
creating handouts broke down as follows:
32
