IGNITION -- the multidisciplinary design agency -- has just completed the design, build and installation of a 200 square metre temporary exhibition called FLIGHT at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. The exhibition is part of the BAC 100 Celebrations marking the centenary of the founding of the Bristol Aeroplane Company (BAC). BAC 100 brings together Bristol Cultural Development Partnership (Arts Council England, Bristol City Council and GWE Business West) together with Airbus, Rolls-Royce and other partners from industry, the heritage sector, community groups and the arts.
BAC 100 has a wide range of prestigious sponsors and funders, including: Airbus, BAE Systems, GKN, MBDA, Rolls-Royce, University of the West of England, UKTI, and the University of Bristol. The Heritage Lottery Fund has made a grant towards the project and Bristol City Council and South Gloucestershire Council are also providing funding.
The IGNITION team has significant experience of working in the aerospace industry and was delighted to win the contract for this major exhibition. The brief required development of an interpretation scheme taking visitors on a journey back in time from the technological advancements that have made space travel possible, through two World Wars, to 1910, the year in which Sir George White founded the Bristol Aeroplane Company - at Filton, near Bristol.
Entering the museum, the scene is set with a series of engines and a full size replica aeroplane on loan from Rolls-Royce Heritage Trust, Bristol and the Bristol Aero Collection museum at Kemble. The agency then divided the main gallery space into three areas, telling three very different stories: Flying, Fighting and Pioneers. The areas combine archive film and photographs integrated within large format graphics. The exhibition boasts a large range of artefacts, scale models and historic archive documents on loan from private, regional and national collections providing visitors with a rich experiential immersive experience.
Archive film and photographs have brought the excitement, effort and glamour of this past to life allowing visitors to see images of iconic Bristol aeroplanes alongside original artefacts such as Brabazon’s landing wheels, A380 wing skins, a Bristol Fighter wing rib and unique Boxkite skids from 1910.
Audio points in the gallery provide visitors with the opportunity to listen to testimonies from local people who share their personal memories of working in one of the world’s most important aviation factories during World War Two, through to the years of supersonic flight.
The project has required extensive stakeholder management. The team have worked closely with Katherine Hann, FLIGHT Exhibition Project Manager and Curator as well as Bristol Development Cultural Partnership, Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, the conservation department, specialist mounters, and private, regional and local collectors.
IGNITION assigned a dedicated project team to deliver the contract comprising of project and account managers, designers and production specialists to ensure the project was delivered on time and on budget.
Katherine Hann, Exhibition Project Manager and Curator said, “IGNITION’s enthusiasm, attention to detail and commitment is exemplary. They are one of the most responsive design agencies I have ever worked with. The project management systems are excellent, and the designers listen and offer creative and constructive solutions. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for the team. They are extremely helpful, great fun and they represent excellent value for money.’’
The exhibition was opened by HRH Prince Edward Duke of Kent and runs from Saturday 18 September to Sunday 28 November at Bristol Museum and Art Gallery. Entry is free and the exhibition is open daily from 10.30am to 5pm, extended to 8pm on Wednesdays.
About IGNITION DG
IGNITION DG is a global multidisciplinary design agency based at the Paintworks in Bristol. The agency prides itself in creating individual solutions through innovative design, with global facilities, specialist designers and expert project managers, the team is dedicated to delivering their unique solutions and professional service anywhere in the world. IGNITION specialises in museum and heritage sites, exhibition design and build, interpretation, graphics and interactives.
Contact
IGNITION DG Ltd
www.ignitiondg.com
Samantha Rowe
sam@ignitiondg.com
