In November last year, service providers tendered for the upgrading of two halls at the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History in Tshwane.
A huge feat, but Flow Exhibitions submitted their tender and a few weeks later received a call to say they had the job.
“Basically we’ve been asked to come up with a concept and design that will bring the Biodiversity Hall and Bird Hall into the 21st Century, and one that will make use of their artefacts and valuable information,” says Flow Exhibitons CEO, Janet Berger.
The halls have not been touched for about 30 to 40 years, and I asked Janet what modernising a space of this scale and importance would involve?
“We first research and find out what the museum wants to communicate to the public. After a diagnostic, we come up with an interpretive plan on how to communicate what Ditsong needs in the space, through graphic design and other mediums.
“We finish off with an installation – a detailed design – which is the final step that we present to Ditsong.”
There are eight national Ditsong museums and the National Museum of Natural History is the only one of its kind in Gauteng. It is also the only museum in South Africa that allows the local and international public to view its original collections. These collections and exhibits in the museum include hominid fossils from the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site.
And what does a project like this mean for Flow Exhibitions? “It’s hugely significant for a young company like ours,” exclaims Janet.
“We didn’t know who we were pitching against and it’ll be so prestigious to say we’ve done work for the Maropeng Visitor Centre and the Ditsong National Museum of Natural History.
“There’s a lot of work for corporate exhibits but this is the work we love. We love writing and research, working with substantial content; it’s an honour to work with South Africa’s natural artefacts.”