A Behind–the–Scenes Tour of The J. Paul Getty Museum Design Department

Members of the Los Angeles Chapter of IDSA and their guests were treated to a guided tour of a major special exhibition entitled “Paris: Life & Luxury” at The J. Paul Getty Museum on July 23^rd. Following the tour, the attendees were given a behind–the–scenes look at the Museum’s design department. The Getty’s design department manager Merritt Price, IDSA, hosted the event, which was co–sponsored by IDSA LA and the Communicative Environments Section.

The exhibition presented a day in the life of an elite Parisian during the mid-18^th century. The objects presented were grouped according to their association with the different times of day in which they would have been used. The design department had divided the exhibit space into different sections for each time period and enhanced the sense of the passage of time by shifting the color used on the walls within each segment to suggest the changing light as the day progressed. Signage for each area was constructed from painted MDF and was designed to include a clock face, each with a different hour depicted to further suggest the passage of the day. The sides of the signage were curved and the edges routed in a style reminiscent of a period mirror contained in the collection. Objects in the show included rare silk embroidered bed linens, furniture with hidden compartments, mechanical clocks, clothing, jewelry, musical instruments, and games. Elaborate silver serving vessels and centerpieces were some of the items housed in display cases that we later learned were from one of three display case style sets kept by the design department and reused as needed.

After completing the tour, we were led to the design department where Merritt gave an overview of the design department and its role within the operations of the museum. Other specialists the design team works with include curators, educators, media developers, conservators, art handlers, construction fabricators, and communication staff. In addition to design for exhibitions, the department is responsible for helping to plan and maintain the permanent collection installations, assisting with public space needs, and providing design services for environmental, promotion, and print graphics. This is done for both the Getty Museum in Los Angeles and the Getty Villa in Malibu with design staff rotating in and out of the two locations.

Documentation of the design and production of the exhibition we had just seen had been laid out on tables in the studio and pinned to the walls for our benefit. The two members of Merritt’s team who had been most responsible for the design, Robert Checchi and Elie Glyn, IDSA, took us through the details and challenges of planning and designing for a major event. Floor plans of the exhibit space need to be created and decisions made regarding wall and lighting placement. Access to emergency exits and ease of guest movement through the exhibit are taken into consideration. Space planning for the objects to be displayed is carefully worked out in 2D and with the use of scaled 3D models. Priceless artworks and objects borrowed from other museums and private collections must have a designated space within the exhibition upon their arrival. For this particular exhibit, Elie mocked up many of the silver items to full scale in foam core so that the arrangements within the display cases could be worked out before the objects were brought in.

Following the presentation, we were invited to explore the design department where we could see parts of other projects past and future. Merritt, Robert, and Elie remained available to answer individual questions and provide further information.

The exhibition “Paris: Life & Luxury” travels to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where it will be on display from September 18–December 10, 2011.

The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Center in Los Angeles presents Western art from the Middle Ages to the present in a modern architectural setting designed by Richard Meier. The J. Paul Getty Museum at the Getty Villa in Malibu is dedicated to the arts and culture of ancient Greece and Rome.