Page 44 - Thola Issue 17

Exhibitions Curator - Dudu Hlatshwayo (right), Museum Officers - Immie Mostert (left) and Andrew Carter (seated).
The Exhibitions team has risen to the challenge this year of producing fresh and innovative ideas to showcase science to the public by designing new exhibitions and giving old ones a revamp.
42 Exhibitions
SHOWING
from new sliding doors were the Flightless Birds display in the Bird Gallery and the Japanese Spider Crab next to the Temporary Exhibitions Gallery. In the KwaNunu Gallery, the Non-insects and Beetles displays had new glass fitted and the Kitchen display had an aluminium and glass-hinged door fitted, which now makes servicing the exhibition a cinch! Repairs were made to the frame of the Snake display in the Reptile Gallery and trapdoors were fitted in the Cheetah and Hyena displays in the Mammal Gallery.
OFF
SCIENCE
Our rotating exhibition programme has continued to expand with the introduction of a new exhibition on bats. This consists of two tower banners in English and two in isiZulu. Subject matter includes facts about bats, their senses, echolocation, enemies, habitat and diet. It also portrays the benefits of bats and their species identification. The myths about bats are clearly dispelled and homeowner queries answered. The KZN Bat Interest Group’s contact details are included for further information. This was the first rotating exhibition to utilise tower banners as opposed to the double-sided roll-up banners that we had used previously. They take up less space, which is always a problem when erecting these exhibitions in cramped library spaces, there are no mechanisms that can break, they are very simple
to erect, they can be used outdoors, and they are the same price as roll-up banners.
We had the opportunity to upgrade a number of display cases and replace the old frames and glass with new laminated glass and sliding doors, thanks to a generous government subsidy.
Apart from the usual designing and production of banners, flyers, posters, signs and advertising, a number of new exhibitions were produced – some for display within the Museum and some for use externally – in particular, our rotating exhibitions.
The usual maintenance work was carried out on all the exhibitions, such as adding Vapona, checking smoke alarms, replacing blown globes and cleaning and dusting all of the display cases. The old transformers and light fittings in the Bat display were all replaced with new energy-efficient ones. The ceilings of both the Penguin and Gannet dioramas were repainted.
The Rails & Finfoots diorama had to be completely remodelled due to water-damage from a leaking air- conditioner in the art gallery from the floor above. Fortunately, the oil- painted backdrop wasn’t damaged
but the rest of the display case had to be replaced completely. After having a new base and ceiling put in, the base was remodeled with plaster of Paris, following which the ceiling and base were painted to blend in with the backdrop. Finally, the diorama was repopulated with the specimens and plants that it had previously housed.
We had the opportunity to upgrade a number of display cases and replace the old frames and glass with new laminated glass and sliding doors, thanks to a generous government subsidy. The gallery that benefitted
the most from this was the Geology/ Palaeontology Gallery. Its old wooden frames and glass were awful to have
to open whenever they needed to be serviced, and so they were replaced with silky smooth sliding doors. Locks were fitted to all of the cases for security. Other cases that benefitted
thola: VOLUME 17. 2014/15