Displaying globes

Judith Emprechtinger <judith.emprechtinger [at] onb__ac__at> writes

>... Some of the cases
>will be made "floor to ceiling" for the very large globes, like a
>"room in a room".  The light source will be outside of the display
>cases (I have some doubts that this will be possible because of the
>size of some globes and a mirroring effect on the glass). If this is
>not possible fiber optics will be used within the cases. All the
>rooms of the museum will be climatized, however the display cases
>themselves not.
>
>Does anyone have experience with the display of globes? I am
>especially interested in climate control of floor to ceiling cases
>within a climatized room. Does anyone have experience with outside
>light sources? I would also like to talk directly to anyone who has
>experience with building exhibits for globes or large objects.

A microclimate control system can easily maintain constant relative
humidity in a very large case. A well designed system will
compensate for any fluctuations in temperature by maintaining a
constant relative humidity, as well as preventing air
stratification. A positive pressure system will provide pollution
free air, and prevent the influx of gallery borne pollutants and
dust.

Active microclimate environmental control brings an added advantage
when used in a large room:  As the objects in the cases will be
maintained at a constant RH, the gallery humidity can be allowed to
vary widely to accommodate human comfort through seasonal changes.
This can generate substantial energy-cost savings.

As for lighting: I was recently at a lighting seminar held for the
International Association of Museum Facilities Managers. It appears
that the expertise and equipment needed to light the cases from the
exterior is readily available. If in doubt, a tour of some of the
newer museum installations will prove this. Regardless of whether
exterior light fixtures, fibre optics, or some combination of
lighting sources is used, a properly designed system will not
generate too much heat in the cases.

Jerry Shiner
Microclimate Technologies International
800-683-4696
416-703-4696


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                  Conservation DistList Instance 18:18
                Distributed: Thursday, October 14, 2004
                       Message Id: cdl-18-18-006
                                  ***