Design of history

An Exhibition dedicated to 400 years of Imperial Romanov Dynasty took place from the 6-19 November in Manezhny Dvor Exhibition Centre. An incredible number of people, about 30 thousand people every day, stood in the huge queues to get acquainted with the rich history of Russia from the first Tsar Michael Fyodorovich from 1594 to Nicholas II. 1919.

I am sure that the deep research of historians and documentarians was would not have been so successful and interesting without the work of the exhibition-designers and their use of modern technologies. The exhibition is interesting, both from the historical point of view and aesthetically. To create the atmosphere of grandeur of the Monarchy and to evoke the public's interest in a deeper understanding of the history and raise the spirit of patriotism and pride for their country was the task of the designers, historians, documentarists, specialists in computer graphics and sound and light and video engineers. They worked half a year to achieve this. 

The first room starts with a purple red color (the color of the monarchy). Red carpet and a deep red colour on the walls are creating the atmosphere of a Museum. Touchscreens and tablets, light boxes, interactive panoramas, 3D monitors with historical episodes engage visitors in learning the history. Classical music creates a special atmosphere in each room and selected according to each exposition.  

I was amazed by the 3m high and 3.5m wide panorama of "fire of Moscow" in the first hall. This panorama has a grid on which the picture of the ancient streets of Moscow are projected. Behind it there is another identical panorama at 30-40 cm which creates a 3D effect. A video projector projects the fire and flames onto the picture. Sounds of creakling fire completes the sense of reality of the fire. There is a similar 3D panorama if the Royal Chambers where the visitors like to take photographs. 

I liked  the large prints of Kings and rulers supports the greatness of the exhibition. To make the portraits appear genuine, the designers used transparent varnish imitating the strokes of oil paint and added gold and silver dust onto the royal clothing. Additionally, the rich, thick portrait frames and spotlights on the the paintings create an atmosphere of a real museum.  

Each exhibition hall represents a different era in the Romanov Dynasty. There are 22 exposition zones which vary in colour. Heavy red signifies the time of troubles, deep blue is the time of Peter I and the formation of the fleet, green is the era of the development of science during the time of Elizabeth II.  By the end of the exposition the colours become lighter and lighter. Everything is symbolic.

The reign of the last Tsar Nicholas II and the Empress Alexandra, their nobility and spirituality and the purity and youth of their children are symbolised by the white walls of this exposition, and the tragedy by the black thin frames of the black and white photos. 

The emotional involvement of visitors is achieved through scale panoramas and pictures, music, and movies about battles. Monitors with 3D interactive images in detail show inventions and achievements of science, technology and medicine.

The expositions devoted to each of the members of the dynasty show portraits of the ruler, their deeds, maps of Russia, time lines and quotes.  

For me it was extremely interesting to observe the design achievements of each era, witch helped to improve Russia.

Large light boxes tell interesting facts about it. 

Such as:

-the first iron in 1636 : the first plumbing in Moscow around 1650 was launched under Mikhail Fedorovich.

-When Peter the Great reigned in 1700: beginning of construction of stone buildings, appearance of first model houses and architectural styles.

-During the reign of Elizaveta Fyodorovna 1744. Vinogradov invented the Russian porcelain formula and the first manufacturing was started.

The reign of Nicholas I in 1833. The first sunflower oil factory was built. 

-Ruling of Alexander III-1833. The first telephone station was opened..

-Catherine II's reign: found the first machines transmission, was invented by Kulibin.

The exhibition ends with a room where there is a screen which shows a short film about the last days of Nicholas II, the betrayal, sabotage and murder. Visitors do not hold back their tears as they relive the tragedy and death of Russia. By the exit of the exhibition there are short films of modern life to bring viewers back to the present day.  

In conclusion, I wish to express my feelings towards this exhibition.

The exhibition struck me with a new approach with its interactivity and design.

Before this show i did not think that technology and design could involve people so much and that it could turn a boring history lesson into a fascinating event. It turned it into a film where you are not the viewer but a participant. I was stunned how six thousand pages of text could become so available to study within two or three hours and restore a sense of belonging to our common history. It was amazing to understand how technology plus design can influence people's minds and their mood and evoke patriotic feelings. It was outstanding how it could create value and unprecedented interest in the exhibition where none of the real artefacts, museum exhibits or paintings were used. 

                                                                                                                           Biryulina Natalia