Under the Covers
Installing the Virtual Gallery at the International Quilt Study Center & Museum.
Quilts and technology at first seem like strange bedfellows-but the combination is hotter than an electric blanket. At the International Quilt Study Center & Museum, technology is seamlessly interwoven through a virtual gallery, attracting a lot of attention with quilt enthusiasts.
"We discovered that quiltmakers are technologically savvy," explains Marin Hanson, IQSC Curator of Exhibitions. "From our initial success of putting quilts on the web, we decided to continue to explore ways of integrating quilts with technology. The virtual gallery is a result of that exploration.
"In many ways, quiltmaking is about telling stories. And the virtual gallery is extending our reach though interactive learning activities." The virtual gallery uses visual databases in which visitors can search quilt collections, create their own designs, view timelines and learn about tools and techniques. They can also share their personal quilt stories via a video recording booth.
Steve Colonna, Instructional Projects Facilities Designer for Information Services selected and installed the hardware for the gallery. The content and program design was provided by Second Story, a multimedia firm from Portland Oregon."This installation was a great opportunity for my group," says Colonna. "It was exciting to explore different technologies in a different venue."
Connectivity is a publication of UNL Information Services
Watch the video!
Each interactive display is wired to its own computer, centrally located in a telecom closet. Quilt images are also displayed life-size on a custom glass rear projection screen. The oblong dimensions of most quilts required a sideways-mounted projector to bounce off a mirror because of the short throw distance behind the glass.
"Technology is really extending our reach," continues Hanson. "And the virtual gallery been extremely popular. It seems welcoming to everyone, and visitors have enjoyed seeing and learning more about the quilts in our collection."
