Videos Archives - Paul Orselli

Just One Thing about Exhibits!

Paul Orselli Talks Museum Exhibit FAQs TOO!

Museum/Exhibit/Design Inspiration: Disney Research September 2, 2024
Many museum folks dislike Disney and its theme parks. But even if you're not a Disney fan, it's worth checking out what the Disney Research folks (and their research partners) are up to.On the Disney Research website, they present research papers and show videos of some of their cool concepts like "Stuntronics" (which uses robotic […]
POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.)
High Quality = Internal Capacity August 22, 2024
I'd say that all "high-quality" museums have a strong capacity to create programs and exhibits internally—not necessarily everything, but many things. High-quality museums know their strengths and build upon them. Great museums also know their weaknesses and where to look for help in those areas. Put simply:High Quality = Internal Capacity As a practical matter, developing a […]
POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.)
The 2 Biggest Museum Questions August 15, 2024
The fundamentals of most, if not all, museum projects can be boiled down to two short but essential questions.I started reflecting on this after reading an excellent article entitled "Who Gets to Decide?" on the Creating The Future website. Among many other excellent points, the article evokes the motto of disability rights activists: Nothing about us […]
POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.)
Is "Inspiration" Hazardous to Exhibit Design? August 6, 2024
“You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” ~ Jack LondonAs I was touring through a new exhibition at a very large museum recently, a person from the Exhibits Department complained to me that they didn't have enough time or money to prototype their interactive exhibits. "So, how do you […]
POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.)
Blowing the (Red) Whistle on Bad Ideas in Museum Practice. July 26, 2024
I was tickled to receive a red plastic whistle in the mail last week.I have been awarded membership in the "Red Whistle Club" by Serrell & Associates for "outstanding achievements in unfailing vigilance to audience needs and unhesitating readiness to blow the whistle on bad ideas in museum practice."I will, of course, wear (and use!) […]
POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.)
Revisiting Nick Cave and Nick Cave July 15, 2024
I've recently been enjoying the art of Nick Cave and Nick Cave, so I thought I'd share this encore post about two masterfully creative people, each named Nick Cave (pictured above.)Nick Cave is an artist known for using sound in his work, most notably in his multifaceted pieces called "Soundsuits."Nick Cave is a musician who […]
POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.)
A Google Search is NOT Exhibit Development July 4, 2024
First, let me state that I really like Google --- I've even been to the Googleplex.But Google has a tendency to erode exhibit research and let some museum folks think that a Web-infused shortcut is a substitute for the tricky work of actually understanding and connecting ideas.The Web is a great purveyor of information. Still, […]
POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.)

Museum/Exhibit/Design Inspiration: Disney Research

Many museum folks dislike Disney and its theme parks. But even if you're not a Disney fan, it's wort...

High Quality = Internal Capacity

I'd say that all "high-quality" museums have a strong capacity to create programs and exhibits inter...

The 2 Biggest Museum Questions

The fundamentals of most, if not all, museum projects can be boiled down to two short but essential ...

Is "Inspiration" Hazardous to Exhibit Design?

“You can't wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” ~ Jack LondonAs I w...

Blowing the (Red) Whistle on Bad Ideas in Museum Practice.

I was tickled to receive a red plastic whistle in the mail last week.I have been awarded membership ...