The Story of the Rocks Exhibition
Client: York Museums Trust / Yorkshire Museum
To celebrate the Bicentenary of William 'Strata' Smith's Geological Map, Yorkshire Museum commissioned Inchpunch to help create a new exhibition exploring Smith's eventful life and scientific contribution to geology. On display is a selection of his personal items including books, fossils and the recently conserved map created over 200 years ago.
For the main display case we created a series of eight large format panels that form a timeline of Smith's life. Each panel describes a key moment or
pivotal event.
To ensure the exhibition visually reflected William Smith's work (and time period) we incorporated two of his iconic "Strata Cross Section" illustrations. The cross section maps spanned the entire 8.5 metre length of the timeline. The positioning of these illustrations (across the lower section) allowed large objects to be displayed in front of the panels without interfering with the timeline text.
pivotal event.
To ensure the exhibition visually reflected William Smith's work (and time period) we incorporated two of his iconic "Strata Cross Section" illustrations. The cross section maps spanned the entire 8.5 metre length of the timeline. The positioning of these illustrations (across the lower section) allowed large objects to be displayed in front of the panels without interfering with the timeline text.
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The showpiece of the exhibition is the recently conserved Geology Map which was the first of its kind anywhere in the world. The outline of the geography and strata were printed from copper plate engravings, the detail was finished by hand with watercolours. The map is mounted within a huge oak frame measuring approximately 3 metres high by 2.2 metres wide.
To protect it from light damage a remote controlled motorised roller blind was fitted within the case (which would be raised upon request). Using specialist light blocking material we faithfully reproduced an almost to scale printed version of the map directly onto the blind. The illustration detail was so sharp and colour realistic that many visitors thought they were admiring the original map.
To protect it from light damage a remote controlled motorised roller blind was fitted within the case (which would be raised upon request). Using specialist light blocking material we faithfully reproduced an almost to scale printed version of the map directly onto the blind. The illustration detail was so sharp and colour realistic that many visitors thought they were admiring the original map.
