"Look, but don't touch" doesn't apply with I.D.entity: Interactive student museum exhibit in Ronald

If you've visited the library recently you have most likely noticed the bedroom that is located on the first floor, and the wall of fingerprint art located across from the monochromatic, colored room. The exhibit was put together by 26 students and Dr. Rhoda Rosen for the museum studies class, which was offered this spring.

"We looked at museums and noticed that we put other people and cultures on display, but never ourselves, and so I thought why not put ourselves on display, in a way which forces the person to look at themselves on an individual level," stated Dr. Rosen. She explained visitors could lie on the bed, or sit at the desk. When asked why it was set up that way, she explained, "We want you to participate, yet at the same time be a part of the exhibit." When questioned as to the reason behind the walls of fingerprints Dr. Rosen responded by explaining how a fingerprint can distinguish one person from another, and how they wanted people to place their finger print, but also something which described them as an individual. Along with Dr. Rosen, 20 plus students had a hand in putting together this magnificent exhibit. James Poyhonen, who was on the Installation team, Cynthia Flowers, who was on the curatorial team, Rachel Martiniak, who was on the marketing team, and Hector Perez, who was on the education team, were some of the individuals questioned as to their position and what they felt they would take away from the course. Poyhonen said "we were charged with finding and transporting everything on display from the various stores." When I asked about his experiences in the course, he replied "I'm taking away a clear understanding of teamwork, and what it means to be an individual. I also learned that sometimes if something doesn't work out it'll be ok as long as you have the same vision." Flowers described their duties as "the voice of the exhibit, were in charge of interpreting the exhibit to the guests." When asked about her experiences, she responded "a great sense of teamwork." Martiniak said their duties included "making fliers, contacting local news outlets, and getting the word out there." When asked about the class and her over all feelings, she mentioned all the other aspects that go into an exhibit, such as possible interpretations, and the different collaborations which went into creating the exhibit. Perez said "We looked at this exhibit and the pamphlet and noticed that nothing was geared toward getting kids to looking at themselves on an individual level, so we created packets which asks them questions such as "when you look at yourself in the mirror, what comes to mind?" When asked about the course, he answered "it gave me a greater understanding/appreciation for museum exhibits and teamwork." If you haven't seen this impressive exhibit, you still have until, Friday April 22, to go and check it out.