The Allusionist 6. The Writing On The Wall
Mar 11, 2015
Rachel Souhami, exhibition-maker and curator who writes museum displays and runs a live Museums Show-Off night. She talks about who actually reads wall text and why museums still write it. Short sentences, clear openings and label placement matter. Language choices age badly and funding, context and display design shape interpretation.
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Exhibitions Are Constructed Narratives
- Exhibitions are authored narratives that present one curated perspective rather than absolute truth.
- Rachel Souhami says text panels guide visitors on what to think about objects and frame the exhibition's viewpoint.
Use A Clear Text Hierarchy
- Create a clear text hierarchy: intro panels, sectional panels, and object labels as needed.
- Avoid inundating visitors with text so the exhibition remains an experience, not a book.
Text Reaches A Minority But Matters
- Visitor tracking shows only about 30% of visitors read exhibition text fully.
- Despite low readership, text still plays a crucial role in directing interpretation and meaning.