Wellcome Wing
The Wellcome Wing is an extension to the Science Museum in London, which aims to show visitors the latest developments in science and technology. The wing, which opened in 2000, consists of five floors, each with a different theme.
The basement contains the Launch Pad- a popular hands-on gallery, aimed at younger visitors to show that science can be fun. The Launch Pad contains interesting science experiments such as making bubbles, building bridges and creating electricity.
On the ground floor is an exhibit called ‘Antenna’, which shows the latest science news and research. In addition to a news ticker screen, there is research about lie detection and a method of capturing carbon dioxide to reduce the effects of global warming. Another thing I liked was a screen showing various figures such as how long oil reserves will last and how many seconds until the end of the world!
The first floor is called ‘Who am I?’ and contains both interactive games and displays about aspects such as biometrics and emotions, for example. The layout on this floor is good in that you could play the games first and then look at the exhibits for further details.
The second floor, Digitopolis, did have displays of new technology but, unfortunately, is currently closed for redevelopment.
The third floor is called ‘In Future’ and has interactive games about controversial issues. Visitors play a game related to a topic such as weather control or renewable energy and, after playing the game, players are asked to vote for or against the issue concerned. This style of exhibit is interesting as it makes people think about issues which may affect them in the future.
submitted by Mark Jenkins
6 comments:
Thanks for this, Mark. Did you have a favourite floor or exhibit?
The Wellcome Wing is interesting for a few reasons. It was one of the first places in the Science Museum to really integrate artworks into the gallery space: you might have noticed the 'sunflower' Marc Quinn piece on the ground floor, or the iron baby in WAI. Now this is standard practice for new galleries and exhibitions - something which people tend either to love or hate.
And as the Wing opened relatively recently, in 2000, its style has taken into account the kind of things we've been talking about over the last few weeks: that audiences are active and have their own opinions and knowledges. Hence the interactives, the 'science centre' style Launchpad gallery, and the 'tell' stations for visitors to input their opinions on issues.
All of these things were slightly controversial at the time. Are they all a good thing or are there any downsides?
The Launch Pad is actually quite an old gallery and idea, but has moved around the museum a few times (and is due to move again next year with a major re-vamp).
What did you think of the Wellcome Wing as a whole?
Launch pad in some ways doesn't really fit in with the rest of the Wellcome Wing -it tends to be considered as part of the basement than WW by museum staff.
There are lots of cynical stories as to why LPad was included in WW, I'll leave you to work out what they might be for yourself.
Personally, I can't wait till Lpad moves. Its a dark, noisy little cave.
I'm not sure exactly when Launchpad appeared in London's Science Museum, but the 'science centre' style dates back to the '60s and the Exploratorium in San Fransisco. One museologist reckons that science centres are the third generation of science museums and that the fourth generation is going to be the new, Dana-style type of interactivity as dialogue.
Whatever, it seems that Launchpad remains incredibly popular (we've just had another post devoted to it). It will be interesting to see what happens next...
My favourite floor of the Wellcome Wing is probably the third floor, In Future. This floor, in particular, is designed to make people think about science and how it will affect them in the future. I particularly like the idea of playing a game first and then voting on a related and controversial issue.
In the Wellcome Wing overall, I like the design of having each floor based on a different theme. I think that being interactive is a good thing because visitors are often more interested in an exhibit that they can interact with rather than just look at. It is also important that visitors can give their opinion on the things they have seen.
With regards to the Launch Pad, I can see that it doesn't fit into the Wellcome Wing as much as the other floors, but I think it is better than the old Launch Pad because there is more to do.
why is there more to do than in old launch pad? are you sure you are remembering right?
there were LOADS of exhibits culled in the move.
there are more shows and some of the exibits got bigger (but that just meant there was less space for more exhibits...)
new new (its really new x 5 - the one they are building right now, anyway) should be bigger. I think.
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