This article explores the transformative power of museum design, focusing on the reimagined Bronze Gallery in the National Museum of Delhi, by the Matrika Design Collaborative. Guided by the theme of “Creating a Narrative, just like telling a story”. The gallery becomes a cryptic journey through time, where ancient relics whisper tales of the cultural heritage. Meticulous design highlighted through images, reveals the interplay of light, spatial choreography and minimalism, creating a space that transcends traditional museum concepts. The narrative-rich environment invites visitors to explore the cryptic depths of history and foster an appreciation for diverse cultural stories.
Imagine walking down a hallowed hallway, where all around you are secrets whispering through time, embracing the profound duty to guard the bygone era. These are the feelings someone with a keen observation would feel as they go through a “Museum”.
“Museums are more than just a repository of items, they are the places where stories are told” is a quote said by Ar. Abhishek Ray the founder of the Matrika Design Collaborative, they work on a wide range of buildings typology among which are the museums. The theme for re-designing such unique spaces by Matrika Design Collaborative is “Creating a narrative, just like telling a story” which is how one experiences a space.
What are they?
Museums are a journey through a well-thought-out and creatively planned labyrinthine of corridors, where each exhibit transcends mere displays, it is a cryptic dance between preservation and revelation. To illustrate this we can take a look at the redesigned “Bronze Gallery in National Museum” located in Delhi, India. Where ancient relics cloaked in the shadows of yesteryears also stand sentinels, silently narrating tales etched in the chronicles of cultural heritage. Here, history is not just conserved, it is an enigmatic spectre, woven into the fabric of each artefact, waiting to be deciphered.
Yet the museum is more than a repository of antiques, it is a clandestine academy, veiled in the mystique of education. Visitors here are like seekers of arcane knowledge, who embark on a pilgrimage of enlightenment. Through the alchemy of exhibitions and interactive displays, the museum unravels the esoteric threads of Science, Technology, Art, and Anthropology of that period, inviting disciplines to partake in the intoxicating wisdom.
Beneath the surface, and just beyond the mere exhibits, the museum evolves into a clandestine society of engagement. It is a nexus of communities, where the past and the present intertwine, forging connections that transcend time. In the dim glow of the artefacts-lit room, a communal heartbeat pulsates a rhythm of shared identity and collective pride.
The Bronze Gallery which was designed to showcase an exclusive collection of 99 statues from across the country [as seen in Image 1] exemplifies how museums beacon individuals to explore the cryptic depths of history and embrace the cultural diversity.
Crafting the narrative:
As we thread through these narrative-rich halls of the museum, it is essential to acknowledge the diverse minds involved right from designers and historians to curators and consultants to contractors who played a crucial part in moulding this gallery into a unique lens to the mosaic of human history and their technological advancements. Image 2 shows the result of such meticulous work.
Two folds of design:
Designing a museum unfolds in two ways, one is the architectural design of the building and the second is the exhibit design, yet the beating heart lies in the interiors, which in this museum was designed to conserve the artefacts not only from the macroclimatic conditions but also the microclimate within the display boxes.
Illuminating Tales:
A masterstroke of design lies in the interplay of light and space. The lighting design and the acoustical panelling in the Bronze gallery are the salient features, the acoustical panelling is designed as to not only help hide the HVAC duct above and the light fixtures but to absorb the resident noise and allow the artefact to speak without interference. The creative play with the lighting takes centre stage with two distant features, First, they are placed in a way that it creates circulation spaces through strategic illumination, which inturn creates a mental barrier in the visitor’s mind to travel through the lit areas. Second, individual illumination of each bronze in the display, enhances the mystique and invites the visitors into an ethereal world. Image 3 showcases this effect.
Spatial Choreography:
Every step within the Bronze Gallery is a spatial choreography. Suspended display cases delicately cradle the lighter bronze statues, defying gravity to showcase the artistry within [as seen in Image 3] allows one to navigate themselves through these halls. The space is divided into four cardinal realms [North, South, East & West], where it becomes a canvas of each region’s bronze, and tells their unique tales. This dictates the design and ensures that every inch is dedicated to the artefact’s majestic presence. Image 4 shows one such intersection of the different realms.
Minimalism as an Art:
The design philosophy echoes minimalism. A deliberate choice to elevate the collection. Starting from the linear display cases that act as conduits, directing the viewer’s focus solely on the treasure within. The smart use of colour and lighting temperature adds nuance, creating an ambience that compliments the bronze’s allure. In this minimalist ballet, the design fades into the background, allowing the artefacts to shine through as the true protagonist.
Conclusion:
As we conclude our journey through these hallowed halls of the Bronze Gallery in the National Museum, Delhi, the profound impact of meticulous design becomes abundantly clear. This narrative-rich space, crafted by the Matrika Design Collaborative, transcends the traditional notion of museums. As Ar. Abhishek Ray has said, “‘Building the narrative’, and how designers can interpret this phrase through their work is the key to designing a museum”.
In essence, this well-designed Bronze gallery reminded us that a well-designed museum is like a tapestry, weaving the past and the present into an everlasting story.
References:
- FOAID [2021]. The Art Museum Design. [YouTube video]. Available at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BjEpA5W86c [Accessed on 9 Jan. 2024].
- Rutvi Ashar [2016]. Bronzed Beauty. [Online]. [Last updated: Aug. 9 2016]. Available at http://inditerrain.indiaartndesign.com/2016/08/bronzed-beauty.html [Accessed on 11 Jan. 2024]
