Museums
A museum is an institution that curates and conserves collections of significant cultural, historical, artistic, and scientific objects.
Museums are institutions that curate and preserve collections of significant cultural, historical, artistic, and scientific objects. Some museums make collections available to researchers, while others focus on sharing their treasures with the public, or even combining a mixture of both.
Because these collections are valuable in so many ways, engineers and architects have to carefully consider the collections’ safety when constructing the buildings that accommodate them. An example of how architects contribute to the preservation of museum pieces happened during Hurricane Sandy, when the construction site for the Whitney Museum in New York City was completely flooded. This incident prompted the architect responsible to add a flood wall to protect the art from any future water damage.
Architects and designers also have to consider other dangers. For example, UV rays from sunlight and fluorescent lighting can damage artwork, photographs, fabrics, books, and documents. Even minor vibrations, over time, can put objects in danger. In addition, LED technology can provide a safer way to highlight artwork, as sensors can detect even the smallest vibrations and alert staff to the threat.
Many museums are considered a piece of art themselves. Examples of this are the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, designed by Frank Gehry, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, and the Caixaforum of Madrid.
Some museums are not just a collection of objects, but a live display for cultural preservation. An example of this is Casa de Mexico located in Madrid. This museum is one of the city ́s gateways to Mexico ́s world of literature, art, cinema, and food.
While large cities claim to have some of the most well-known museums, small towns are often a treasure trove for those seeking unique collections. If you find yourself in East Lansing Michigan, you can visit the Moist Towelette Museum, then head east to the Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough, Ontario. If you are fascinated by tiny things, you must see the Museum of Miniatures in Prague, even though it is not considered as a small town. This museum is known as the only art gallery in the world where you need a magnifying glass to view the displayed artwork.
