Discovering42 - Cornwall Science & Art Museum

What is “DISCOVERING 42”?


Discovering42 is a Community Interest Company (CIC) that is organising a pilot exhibition that merges art, science and sustainability, with the aim to set up a community-based museum for further exploration. We want to challenge the misconceptions that art is frivolous, science is perplexing and environmental issues can be ignored.

We aim to be environmentally sustainable in how we approach the exhibition by considering the materials that we use for the exhibits. Working with local creative practitioners to transform found objects and waste materials into thought-provoking exhibits that demonstrate scientific principles through play. The Ocean Recovery Project have already agreed to provide us with abandoned fishing nets and hundreds of bodyboards that are discarded each year on beaches throughout Cornwall. By combining environmental issues with art and science, we hope to engage audiences that usually might not be interested or concerned about waste or climate change.

Who is it for?


There isn’t a dedicated science museum in Cornwall, which makes it a costly visit for many and inaccessible for low-income families. Together we can bridge this gap and provide an affordable and valuable resource for our community. Discovering42 will be particularly appealing to local families with children aged 3-16. However, we are keen to create a resource that people of all age groups can draw inspiration and we will be careful to design the exhibition with this as a key goal.

We are also looking to consult with disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilles, to ensure that the exhibition is not only wheelchair accessible but that the exhibits are inclusive for members of our community with different needs.

As we move into the colder months, there are very few options for enriching, Covid-safe indoor activities for families. Many solutions at the moment focus on virtual engagement, however, this is a challenging option particularly for young children that have a short attention span and can struggle with behaviour after extended screen time. We are looking to offer a safe venue that is designed from the ground up with Covid-safety in mind.

We see the set-up process as important as the final exhibition, it is an opportunity to bring together our community and provide a positive outlet for the negative feelings associated with Covid. As part of our small but growing team, we have three women who have been out of the workplace for several years while raising families. They are helping to shape the project with their own insights as parents, while also rebuilding confidence in the skills they have and empowering them to kickstart their careers.

The exhibition will also provide a platform for local professional and emerging artists to experiment, collaborate and exhibit at a time where opportunities are few.

Cognition Learning are keen to use the exhibition space to hold their own workshops, and will use their expertise in creatively engaging children in science and art.

What will it look like?


We will use cinematic lighting to create a colorful and immersive sensory journey. Different zones will have sculptural dividers and passageways to break up the space and transition between zones. Each zone will contain a group of artistic and interactive exhibits that practically demonstrate a scientific principle. Exhibits will be crafted with found objects and waste materials with the help of local artists. Each zone will have a challenge to solve at the end.

For our pilot exhibition, we aim to have 5 main zones; 

Light

Did you know you can have a multicolored shadow? In this zone, you will learn about all things light related, from mixing light to diffusion, reflection, refraction and focus. Work together to solve the light maze.

Air  

This area is a bit breezy. Learn about wind, fill the zone with sparkling light as you discover air pressure, then take your learning further with aerofoils. Use your discoveries to sail a model boat around a course.

Gravity 

There is a lot more than "what goes up must come down", it's time defy the assumptions we take for granted about gravity with gyroscopes, magnets and marbles.

Mechanics 

Learn the principles of kinetic energy using cogs, levers, cams and gears and reveal the fascinating world automata. Once you have figured out how it works, make one of your own to take home in our creator space.

Sound 

Find out what it is, how it's made, and make some music. See the inside of a piano while you play it, explore some unusual instruments, and then compose your own melody with a giant mechanical music box machine

Where and how long will the exhibition be on for?

We are looking for a suitable location in North Cornwall, we have two possible venues that have agreed to let us hire for 6 months, although we are still exploring other venues that may be more suitable. We are planning to have 2 months to build, set up and pack down and 4 months to showcase the exhibition between 12th February 2021 to June 1st 2021.

How much are trying to raise?


We have set the main target of 10k, once we reach £2500 we have recieve match funding, bringing us closer to our target. Anything we raise over this, will allow us to work with more artists, to make more exhibits and enable us to put on a much more impressive experience for you to enjoy.

What will my money be spent on? 

Setting up the exhibition 

• Artists
• Materials
• Lighting
• Covid19 measures
• Booking System
• Marketing 

How will you ensure that the exhibition is Covid-safe?

We are designing Discovering42 from the ground up to be a safe environment during these challenging times. We plan on utilising touch-free technologies to provide visitors with a safe but interactive experience. For example, using stereo ultrasonic sensors to track visitors' hand movements to enable them to take control of an exhibit without touching it.

We will be implementing a bubble system, with timed entry into the one-way system. Groups of exhibits will be in themed zones, with sculptural dividers and passageways to transition between zones and enabling us to keep visitors separated from other household bubbles. We are consulting with Roger Lyle from Be Safe Now, who will be providing advice during the exhibition build and will be guiding our health and safety procedures to ensure that we can create a safe experience for visitors.