Design of an interactive traveling exhibition on garbage that was a partnership between the Association of Science-Technology Centers and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES), developed in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, ASTC, Rodale, and scientists at the Environmental Defense Fund. ASTC was responsible for funding the design and development, and SITES was responsible for funding the fabrication. The exhibition was completely designed, but was never built because of fundraising difficulties at the Smithsonian.
It was organized into five sections. A theatrical entry combined surreal imagery of landfills with audios of bulldozers and seagulls. What Is Garbage? revealed the scope, scale, and psychological aspects of the problem. There’s No Away focused on the techniques for handling and disposal. Nature Recycles contained exhibits on the biology and chemistry of garbage. And Making Choices dealt with the issue from a consumption perspective.
The exhibition was created as a model of green design. All the fabrication materials were labeled and described within the exhibition, as part of the exhibition content.
Even though the exhibition was never built, much of the content was used by ASTC in an online exhibition. Unfortunately, the design was not used for the online version. It is one of the most frequently visited components on the ASTC site.
Date: 1993
Clients: ASTC, SITES
Roles: Project Director, Designer
Funders: Environmental Protection Agency Region III and Headquarters, Rodale Press, Waste Management Inc., National Solid Waste Management Association, Smithsonian Institution Special Exhibition Fund
Footprint: 6,000 square foot
Collaborators: Wendy Pollock, Gordon Chun, Beth Redmond-Jones, Anita Llewellyn, Katherine Whitney, John Chiodo, Environmental Defense Fund, Environmental Protection Agency