Thematic Map & Inventory – Anthropocene 1

Viviana Gomez

Thematic Map and Inventory

Anthropocene – Entrance and First Floor

Visitor flow is indicated by the red arrows coming from the front door through the hall. The information station is the first stop before
the stairs. Click on the text for more detailed information.

Information Station

Wayfinding Banner

Front Door Displays

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1. Door Displays

As soon as visitors arrive at the facade of

the AGO, they find a series of displays
promoting the exhibition inside.

Go to Map
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2. Wayfinding Banner

A banner located at the foot of the main

stairs guides visitors to the Anthropocene
exhibition on the second floor. The arrow
indicates that visitors can go in either
direction to find the exhibit.

Go to Map

3. Information Station on the First Floor

As soon as visitors enter the main hall, they find an information station about the Anthropocene
exhibition. Volunteers provide information to visitors about the multimedia experience the
exhibition offers including how to download the AVARA application using their smartphone or
tablet.

Go to Map
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Anthropocene – Second Floor

Ticket Scanner Station

Podcast Promotion Displays

Big Lonely Doug Wayfinding Banner

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4. Big Lonely Doug

The exhibition includes augmented reality (AR) through

the free AVARA app installed in advance on visitors’
phones or, for those who don’t have a smartphone, on an
iPad provided by the museum.

A display situated in Galleria Italia mimics the texture of

the Douglas fir tree's bark, which activates a 3D view of Big
Lonely Doug, one of Canada's oldest trees.

The tombstone label accompanying the display educates

visitors about the tragic story of the forest on Vancouver
Island, British Columbia, which has been almost
completely logged for commercial purpose.

Go to Map
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5. Wayfinding Banner Second Floor

As soon as visitors enter the second floor from

the main stairs, they find a wayfinding banner
that guides them to the exhibition saloon.
Wyfinding2

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6. Podcast Promotion Displays

Along one of the corridors that
surround Walker Court on the
second floor, visitors find a series
of displays inviting them to
participate in the online podcast.

7. Ticket Scanner Station

Visitors need to scan their ticket
before entering the exhibition.
Staff and volunteers
interact and engage with visitors.
Go to Map
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Anthropocene – Exhibition Floor

Click on the hyperlink text in the boxes to find more information.

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Film Installations Series of Photographs in
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Installations
Mural Film Extension
iPad Station
Labels Extension
13. Additional
Print Sources

Welcome Esemble Cathedral Grove Space

In the
Introductory Label8.exhibition AVARA Symblo Labels
The Title, Welcome place several AR Activation
Ensemble and Anthropocene
Introductory Label catalogue
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8. The Title, Welcome Ensemble and Introductory Label

A Welcome
and a
Warning

Go to Map

A photograph opposite, visually support the

The welcome ensemble contains the exhibit's title, the artists'
names, a quotation by one of the artists, a definition of the
title, and an introductory statement.
The label welcomes visitors to the exhibition and warns them
about the fragility of our ecosystem.
statement in the introductory label while
welcoming visitors with a first glance at the artwork
in the show.
The photo is a reminder of the extinction of
dinosaurs, reflecting the fragility of life (Burtynsky,
Baichwal, & De Pencier, 2018, p. 60).
Edward Burtynsky, Basque Coast, UNESCO Geopark,
Zumaia, Spain, 2015.
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9. Space and Visitors Flow

The exhibit space is spacious and follows the white cube concept creating a neutral environment that does not compete with the art.
The layout of panels where the artwork is assembled welcomes visitors into a wide space easy to navigate in both directions. The
audience can walk into three additional spaces: a second large space at the back, a medium size space close to the entrance, and a
small station before the exit. The public usually finds the medium size room before walking to the back room. All visitors finally exit
through the small station.

10. Introductory Video and Films Installations

Videos are strong focus objects anchoring different subtopics of the exhibition. Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier have
created a set of film installations, highlighting the human impact on our planet. Eight TV displays screening their work are installed in
the exhibition.

Figure 1
10a. As soon as visitors enter the main hall,
they face the first video (Dandora Landfill, 10b. Exploding Danger Trees, Cathedral Grove, 10c. Coal Trains, Wyoming, USA, 2018.
Nairobi, Kenya, 2018), about a municipal British Columbia, Canada, 2018
dumping site created in 1970 that continues
to function today.
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Go to Videos and Projections Map

10d.. St. Clair Reservoir under Winston 10e. Oil Refineries, Texas, USA, 2018.
Churchill Park, 2018

10g. Gotthard Base Tunnel, Gotthard, Switzerland, 10h. Phosphate Mines, Florida, USA,
10f. Bagger 291, Hambach Lignite Mine, 2018. 2018.
Germany, 2018.

Go to Map
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Complementing the TV screens, in the second space, two films are

projected onto the walls.

10j. Elephant Tusk Burn, Nairobi National Park, Kenya, 2018

10i. Coral Bleaching, Great Barrier Reef, Australia, 2018.
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Map Location for Videos and Projections

10i

10j

10h

10f
10g

10e

10c
10d

Go back to Map
10a

10b
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11. Series of Photographs in Panels

Thirty six large-scale colourful photos by Edward Burtynsky comprise the core element of the show. They depict human activity
including mines, landfills, cities, agricultural sites, deserts, and forests.

Three layers of 5, 4, and 5 panels respectively hang from the roof to support the photographic artwork. Visitors walk between the
panels in either direction, right or left, depending on the photo that attract them most. The size of the photographs is 148.6 x 198.1 cm.
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Go back to Map
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12. Labels

Visual elements have great impact in this exhibition. After the introductory statement at the entrance, the photos and videos in the
main hall stand and "speak" for themselves giving a first impression to visitors that the object's labels are missing. However, labels
actually play an important if discreet role in the show, as these interpretive tools take the form of floor prints, wall quotations, and
interactive technology.

Interpretive labels are printed on walls or on the floor and consist of introductory
labels, objects labels, wall quotes and captions, and instructive labels.

Object labels on the floor provide information about the artist and the object, as
well as artist quotations and contextual information about the scene.
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Object label and Intructive label with AVARA symbol

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A label with two parts:

1) Introductory information with an artist quotation giving an emotional message,
and a brief history and context about the object. Figure 2
2) Object label contains information about the artist, the photograph. A few artist quotations stands alone supporting the
exhibition statement with an emotional message.

A few Object lablers are simplier only containing

information of the artist, the object, and context; or just
information about the artist and object.
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Figure 3
Figure 4A

The AVARA
symbol on the
floor help visitors
to identify each
AR activation
position.

A few instructive labels provide a tutorial about the use of the applications and
mobiles.

This label invites visitors to other sections or encourage them to participate in

different activities.
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Figure 5
This label invites visitors to discuss the exhibition topic in
social media.

13. Additional Print Sources

In the exhibition place several Anthropocene catalogue books are located on benches where visitors can sitting down and read them.
Additionally, sometimes visitor receive a flyer when buying the ticket for the exhibition.
Go back to Map
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14. iPads Stations

Visitors can find a number of iPad stations throughout the space for those who do not have their own mobile to interact with the
artworks that offer AR and film extension activation. The AVARA application is already installed on the iPads. The labels on the wall
highlight simple instructions. Visitors also can take pictures and upload them to the AGO Instagram account with the museum's iPads.

There are eight iPad stations located around the

space for visitors to use.

They are organized by area and each iPad activates

only the application for artwork close to its station.
Thus, visitors are instructed to return the device once
they finish using it.
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Map with the Location of iPad Stations

Go back to Map
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15. Mural Film Extension

The exhibition includes four massive 10 x 20 foot high-resolution photographic murals by Edward Burtynsky with several short film extensions,
by Jennifer Baichwal and Nicholas de Pencier.

The videos the artists decided to overlap with each photograph enhance the audience's understanding of the image depicted in Burtynsky’s murals,
which come alive in the films of Baichwal, and de Pencier using the AVARA application.

Mushin Market Intersection, Lagos, Nigeria, 2016

Figure 6

Cathedral Grove #1, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada, 2017

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Carrara Marble Quarries, Cava di Canalgrande #2, carrara, Italy, 2016. Pengah Wall #1, Komodo National Park, Indonesia, 2017
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AVARA symbols on the floor identify the artworks that offer a film extension. Each high-resolution photograph has three AVARA
marks that correspond to three different short films. This institutive approach to reading the artwork is supported by instructive labels
and volunteers who help visitors follow the steps and have a good experience.

Go back to Map

16. Cathedral Grove Space

A discreet label on the wall and a volunteer standing at an empty corner mark the access to an adjoining room. This space is dedicated
to exposing the alarming rate of deforestation of the Cathedral Grove forest of Douglas firs on Vancouver Island, British Columbia.
The introductory label pairs one artist's quotation with an emotional message that connects to the drama shown in the visual artworks.
Visitors can interact with a high-resolution mural on one of the walls, Figure 6, which activates film extensions with the AVARA app.
Related to the topic, a short video titled, Figure 1, is screening and three photographs stand along the other walls with simpler object
labels containing information about the artist and object.
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Figure 7

Introductory labels with an artist quotation.

Object label
with artis and
object info.

Artist quote
(emotional).

Brief context
and history
about the
object.
Object labels containing artist and object information on the right.
Go back to Map
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17. Augmented Reality (AR) Installations

Augmented reality is a digital tool that mixes the real world and the virtual world. AR can add graphics, sounds, videos and touch
feedback to the real world to create an enhanced visitors experience.

In the second large space of the exhibition, the AR installation supports the topic of 1) confiscated ivory tusks; 2) the last male
northern white rhino living in Sudan until his death in March, 2018; and 3) the second-largest Douglas fir tree, known as Big Lonely
Doug (see headline 4). All three installations highlight with 3D images species threatened by extinction due to intensive human
activity.

President Kenyatta's Tusk Pile, April 28. Nairobi,

Kenya, 2016.
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Sudan, The Last Male Northern White

Rhinoceros, Nanyuki, Kenya, 2016

Visitors have a high degree of interaction with The Las Male Northen White Rhinoceros option, and even though the initial playful
attitude of the public seems uneasy with this serious topic, the question about the human influence in our ecosystem is finally stated.
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Map of the artwork using the AR tool with

AVARA application.

Go back to Map
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18. Positive Change and Feedback Area

Just before visitors leave the exhibition, they go through a small section with a digital touch screen map placing images from the
collection in their geographical context and bringing a deeper insight into the ecological damage caused by human activity in that part
of the world.
Tombstone labels frame the entrance and walls of this small space of the exhibition, with charts and graphics, with the aim of creating
awareness of carbon emissions and challenging the audience to take some action.
Visitors are also invited to respond and reveal their thoughts about their experience in the exhibition using a digital interactive display
in multiple-choice form. A monitor displays statistics about audience responses in real time.
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Go back to Map
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19. Podcasts, Talks, Events, and More

The final part of the exhibition promotes podcast, talks, events, and more activities related to the Anthropocene exhibition with a
series of interpretive labels, artist's quotations, and small pictures of hosts and of the exhibition.

Host Sarain Fox speaks with filmmakers Nicholas de Pencier and Jennifer Baichwal, photographer Edward Burtynsky, and guests
from around the globe, highlighting Indigenous issues, Canadian and international perspectives on climate change, geoscience,
decolonization, biodiversity, cities and more (Art Gallery of Ontario. (2018a).

Go back to Map

Photographs by Viviana Gomez

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20. Inventory of Interpretive Elements

Interpretive tool Brief description Count

Click on text for more detail.
First Floor

Door Displays Series of displays promoting the exhibition inside 7

Banner located at the foot of the main stairs guides visitors to the
Wayfinding banner Anthropocene exhibition on the second floor. 1

Volunteers instruct visitors about the multimedia experience the

exhibition offers including how to download the AVARA application
Information Station using their smartphone or tablet. 1
Second Floor

Wayfinding banner Second banner at the top of the stairs. 1

A display situated in Galleria Italia mimics the texture of the
Douglas fir tree's bark, which activates a 3D view of the Big Lonely
Interactive Technology Doug, one of Canada's oldest trees. 1
Situated in Galleria Italia include photograph of the object and info
Tombstone label (context, author, title, year) 1
Displays Podcasts promotion displays 3
Ticket Station Located Just before the welcome ensemble 1

Introductory Section

Title Thematic title 1

Welcome ensemble Contains: interpretive label and photograph. 1
Contains: artist quote and main statement; acknowledges
Introductory labels recognitions and sponsors. 1
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The photograph is an interpretive element that supports the main

Photograph statement. 1

Object label Contains info about the photograph and artist. 1

Main Space

Printed on wall or on floor, contains info about the artifacts and

Object labels author, artist quotation, brief story related to the object. 32

Interactive technology iPads with AVARA app installed in three stations with 4 iPads each 12
Printed on the floor contains the AVARA logo and an instructive
text to identify the position where visitors should stand to activate
AVARA symbol the application. 6

Instructive labels Instructive information about the use of the AVARA app 2
Print source Anthropocene catalogue 1
Wall quotes Artist quotation (an emotional message) 1

Orientation label There is a label indicating the access to another space 1

Cathedral Space

Wall quotes Artist quote that works as introductory label 1

Printed on wall, contains info about the artifacts and author, artist
Object labels quotation, brief story related to the object. 5

Interactive technology iPads with AVARA app installed in three stations with 4 iPads each 4
AVARA symbol Printed on floor for interactive activation 3
Instructive labels Instructive information about the use of the AVARA app 1
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Second Main Space

Printed on wall and floor, contains info about the artifacts and
Object labels author, artist quotation, brief story related to the object. 15
Visitors can find iPads with AVARA app installed in five stations with
Interactive technology 4 iPads each 20
AVARA symbol Printed on floor for interactive activation 5

Instructive labels Instructive information about the use of the AVARA app 3
Print source Anthropocene catalogue 2
Wall quotes Artist quotation (an emotional message) 1

Interactive technology AR Display that activate AR technology 2

Charger Station

Shows exhibition pictures taken by visitors and instructs how to

TV display upload pictures taken in the exhibition by visitors 1
Indicates and advices visitors how to use the charge station for their
Instructive labels mobiles 2

Interpretive label Invites a response from visitors using social media 1

Feedback Area

Provides awareness of the emission of CO2 and includes a chart,

Tombstone labels graphics and information. 3
Digital touch screen map placing images from the exhibition in
Interactive Map their geographical context 1
TV Display Supporting map information 1
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Digital quiz Interactive display in multiple choice form 3

Display Shows result of visitors answers 1

Exit

Situated in the exit corridor include photograph of the object and

Tombstone labels info (context, author, title, year) 1
Wall Quotations Artist quotations 3
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References

Art Gallery of Ontario. (2018a). Anthropocene. Art Gallery of Ontario. Retrieved November 1, 2018, from

http://ago.ca/exhibitions/anthropocene

Art Gallery of Ontario. (September 28, 2018b – January 6, 2019). Anthropocene. Toronto.

Burtynsky, E., Baichwal, J., & De Pencier, N. (2018). Anthropocene (2018 ed.). Toronto: Art Gallery of Ontario.

The J. Paul Getty Museum. (1999). COMPLETE GUIDE TO ADULT AUDIENCE INTERPRETIVE MATERIALS: GALLERY TEXTS

AND GRAPHICS (2011 ed.). Retrieved from

https://www.getty.edu/education/museum_educators/downloads/aaim_completeguide.pdf