Image Credit : C&G Partners
Project Overview
“Native New York” the newest long-term exhibition at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian’s George Gustav Heye Center in New York explores the question “Who are real Native New Yorkers?” Following a 400-mile path across five centuries, the exhibition uses objects, media, interactives and graphic novel illustrations to demonstrate how New York is and always has been a Native place.
Project Commissioner
Project Creator
Team
Jonathan Alger (Partner in charge), Dan Fouad (Lead 3D Designer) Kevin Sayama (Lead Exhibit Designer), Daniel Rodriguez (Lead Experience Designer), Christian Montoro: (Senior Graphic Designer), Calista Bohling (Graphics and Media Designer), Bruce Chao (Media and Graphics Designer), Rui Li (Media Designer), Kris Li (3D Design), Daniel Steps (3D Design), Laura Grady (Lead Producer), Shuyler Nazareth (Technical Producer), Alex Kelly (Senior Producer), Sehba Mohammad (Marketing)
Project Brief
“Native New York” explores the question “Who are real Native New Yorkers?” The exhibition reveals that New York is—and always has been—a Native place. C&G Partners partnered with the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian on the exhibition and environmental design for this recently opened, permanent experience in downtown “Manahatta.” It follows a literal trail, hundreds of miles long, through New York State and New York City: at one end, the Hamptons in Eastern Long Island; at the other, Niagara Falls in far Western New York. Along the way, a dozen stories touch on five centuries of history. Each stop teaches the history behind common myths, blending Native objects with interactive media, all wrapped in theatrical design techniques.
Project Need
Through the Museum, custom illustrations throughout the exhibit were commissioned from Native graphic novel creators, often directly paired with hands-on touchable elements drawn from each story. The graphic novel theme exists at all levels: from individual interpretive panels to entire exhibit stations and even to all the surfaces of every wall throughout the entire project.
The organizing principle of the experience is unique, neither chronological nor thematic. It follows a literal trail, hundreds of miles long, through New York State and New York City: at one end, the Hamptons in Eastern Long Island; at the other, Niagara Falls in far Western New York. Along the way, a dozen stories touch on five centuries of history. Each stop teaches the history behind common myths, blending Native objects with interactive media, all wrapped in theatrical design techniques. The media in the exhibition does not appear to be media, going beyond screens to build an immersive feeling. Unusual techniques include projections that are double-sided, shows mapped as “magic paintings'' onto sculptural picture frames, and gesture-activated digital experiences. Custom illustrations throughout the exhibit were commissioned from Native graphic novel creators, often paired with hands-on touchable elements drawn from each story. The legendarily fearsome Iroquois Nationals lacrosse team plays a key role in the experience. The game of lacrosse, played today by non-Native and Native players alike throughout the world, originated as an important cultural practice for Native people in what is today New York State.
Design Challenge
As Native American histories and cultures are still affected by inaccuracy and stereotyping, it was critical that the exhibition offer more accurate stories of the past and reflect how history impacts contemporary Native people today.
Although the exhibition was designed for all ages, the content and experiences had to have a special emphasis on local students and meet New York state curriculum standards. Everything — from the spacing of the galleries, to the graphic style, to the use of animated motion had to be designed with this audience in mind.
Sustainability
A focus on sustainability is evident in the choice of materials used in the exhibition since the manufacturers focused on the environmental impacts of the materials.
Nydree’s engineered hardwood is used in the path running through the exhibition space and twelve exhibition stations. The wood is FSC-certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), a non-profit organization that promotes, preserves and protects forests for future generations, operating under the highest standards. It’s an unfortunate truth that some wood comes from illegal logging, a destructive practice that’s difficult to prevent. Using this acrylic-infused hardwood ensures that the wood was responsibly harvested in a socially, ethically and economically sound manner. FSC-certified wood is renewable, and the more it is purchased and utilized, the higher consumer demand will be, further ensuring conscientious forest management and conservation practices. Souring the wood exclusively from forests in North America, eliminates the need for international shipping (such as for exotic woods coming to North America from Asia and South America), which reduces pollution.
Similarly, the Cushion Back Carpet, manufactured by Milliken, was selected not only for its ability to withstand heavy traffic in public spaces but also because the product underwent a Life Cycle Analysis. This provides information on a number of environmental impacts of products
over their life cycle. The carpet is third party certified carbon neutral using the Leonardo Academy’s “Cleaner and Greener” certification.
Furthermore, the exhibition casework uses glass over acrylic, demonstrating sustainability and durability.
Interior Design - Gallery - Exhibition
Open to all international projects this award celebrates innovative and creative building interiors, with consideration given to space creation and planning, furnishings, finishes, aesthetic presentation and functionality. Consideration also given to space allocation, traffic flow, building services, lighting, fixtures, flooring, colours, furnishings and surface finishes.
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