Acts of Projection
Magic Lantern Shows and the U.S. Civil War
Projection technologies and artifacts; examining how they influenced Northern and Southern narratives during the U.S. Civil War.
Throughout the course, our class engaged in a variety of hands-on activities designed to strengthen our curatorial research skills. We also worked closely with curators and faculty to gain a deeper understanding of exhibition planning and execution, learning the processes behind developing and presenting an exhibition from start to finish. Additionally, we hosted psychology professors who gave presentations on the effects of trauma and how it shapes responses to sensitive imagery, which helped us refine our approach to curating content that may evoke strong emotional reactions.
Catalog Designed by Professor Sang Lee
Group Project Articles
Group Project Articles
Exhibition Acknowledgements
Setup & Installation
We gained practical experience in the handling and maintenance of 18th- and 19th-century artifacts, ensuring their proper care, storage, and display. This included collaborating with professors, artists, and gallery staff to design and install exhibition layouts, including pedestals, vitrines, and other elements. Finally, we had the opportunity to lead exhibit tours, providing historical context and curatorial insights to a wide range of audiences, further honing our communication and presentation skills.
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Stage One | Curtain Hanging
Stage Two | Curtain Hanging
Stage Three | Curtain Hanging
Class Installation Video
Behind The Scenes
Capturing the process, conversations, decisions, roadblocks, and successes on video for us to watch was integral in the class’s collective understanding of the effort and work put into conceptualizing, researching, planning, assembling, installing, and announcing this exhibition. We believe everyone else has the opportunity to see all the fun we had creating this exhibit and to watch and learn what goes on behind the scenes.