Exhibition

History

The exhibition came fully into its own in the 19th century, but various temporary exhibitions had been held before that, especially the regular displays of mostly new art in major cities. The Paris Salon of the Académie des Beaux-Arts was the most famous of these, beginning in 1667, and open to the public from 1737. By the mid-18th century this and its equivalents in other countries had become crucial for developing and maintaining the reputation of contemporary artists. In London the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition has been held annually since 1769, and the British Institution ran temporary exhibitions from 1805 to 1867, typically twice a year, with one of new British painting and one of loans of old masters from the Royal Collection and the aristocratic collections of English country houses.

By the mid-19th century many of the new national museums of Europe were in place, and holding exhibitions of their own collections, or loaned collections, or a mixture of objects from both sourcers, which remains a typical mix today. The "Chronology of Temporary Exhibitions at the British Museum" goes back to 1838.

The tradition of the Universal exposition "world Expo" or "World's Fair" began with the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London; these are only held every few years. The Eiffel Tower in Paris was built for the Exposition Universelle (1889) and served as an entrance arch.

Modern exhibitions may be concerned with preservation, education and demonstration, early exhibitions were designed to attract public interest and curiosity. Before the widespread adoption of photography, the exhibition of a single object could attract large crowds. Visitors might even be overcome with Stendhal syndrome, feeling dizzy or overwhelmed by the intense sensory experience of an exhibit. Today, there is still tension between the design of exhibits for educational purposes or for the purpose of attracting and entertaining an audience, as a tourist attraction.

Art exhibitions

Main article: Art exhibition

Art exhibitions include an array of artifacts from countless forms of human making: paintings, drawings, crafts, sculpture, video installations, sound installations, performances, interactive art. Art exhibitions may focus on one artist, one group, one genre, one theme or one collection; or may be organized by curators, selected by juries, or show any artwork submitted.

Fine arts exhibitions typically highlight works of art with generous space and lighting, supplying information through labels or audioguides designed to be unobtrusive to the art itself.

, as in the case with Biennales, triennials and quadrennials. The first art exhibition to be called a blockbuster was allegedly the 1960 Picasso show at Tate in London.

Interpretive exhibitions

The topics of interpretive graphics cover a wide range including archaeology, anthropology, ethnology, history, science, technology and natural history.

Commercial exhibitions

Main article: Trade fair

Commercial exhibitions, generally called trade fairs, trade shows or expos, are usually organized so that organizations in a specific interest or industry can showcase and demonstrate their latest products, service, study activities of rivals and examine recent trends and opportunities. Some trade fairs are open to the public, while others can only be attended by company representatives (members of the trade) and members of the press.

Online exhibitions

The rise of online exhibitions is attributed to several factors.  The internet's global reach allows museums to share their collections with geographically dispersed audiences. Additionally, online exhibitions can overcome limitations of physical space, allowing for the display of vast collections or large-scale objects that might be difficult to exhibit traditionally. Furthermore, online exhibitions can offer interactive features, educational resources, and accessibility tools not readily available in physical exhibitions.

While online exhibitions offer numerous advantages, they cannot fully replicate the experience of a physical exhibition. The physical presence of objects, the curated layout of a gallery space, and the social interaction of a museum visit are all aspects missing from the online experience.  Nevertheless, online exhibitions serve as a valuable complement to physical exhibitions, expanding access to cultural heritage and fostering a deeper appreciation for museums and collections around the world.

Virtual museum exhibitions

A virtual museum is a digital institution dedicated to exhibiting objects and collections, similar to a physical museum, but existing entirely online. Virtual museum exhibitions utilize digital technologies to present collections and narratives in an online environment. These exhibitions can be permanent or temporary, showcasing a wide range of topics and objects.

References

Publications

• Ng-He, C., Gibbons, B. (2021). Exhibits and Displays: A Practical Guide For Librarians. Rowman & Littlefield.

References

1. Bartsch, Frank. (31 May 2013). "Exhibition and Event Logistics". BB Handel.
2. [https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/RP_Exhibitions_Chronology.pdf British Museum Research Publication no. 189] {{Webarchive. link. (19 November 2018 , "Chronology of Temporary Exhibitions at the British Museum", PDF)
3. Mondello, Bob. (24 November 2008). "A History Of Museums, 'The Memory Of Mankind'". NPR.
4. Squires, Nick. (28 July 2010). "Scientists investigate Stendhal Syndrome – fainting caused by great art". The Telegraph.
5. "Museum Bookstore".
6. Tamara. (March 1, 2023). "Virtual or Real? The Future of Exhibitions".
7. (August 6, 2023). "Virtual Exhibitions vs. Physical Exhibitions: Which is Right for You?".
8. Donihue, Ross. "Collections define a museum".
9. Chapel, Justine. (2024-03-18). "Art in the Digital Era: Exploring the Rise of Online Exhibitions".
10. "The World's First Entirely Virtual Art Museum Is Open for Visitors".