Fascinating objects online

Shaping Tasmania

An innovative new program is set to guide visitors on a fascinating journey through the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (TMAG) when the new museum reopens to the public on 15 March 2013.

Premier and Minister for the Arts, Lara Giddings today launch Shaping Tasmania: A Journey in 100 Objects, a partnership between TMAG, 936 ABC Hobart and ABC Northern Tasmania that will be a highlight program of the new museum.

“This is the first time such a partnership has been developed in Tasmania, and it is based on a wildly successful UK program run by the British Museum and the BBC, called A History of the World in 100 Objects,” Ms Giddings said.

Shaping Tasmania will be a trail of 99 objects from the State Collection on display throughout the museum, each selected by TMAG’s curators to represent the significant events and movements that have created the Tasmania we know today.

“And perhaps most excitingly, a 100th object, which members of the public will be able to help choose, will be added to the trail before the reopening.

“So I’d like to congratulate TMAG and the ABC on this project, and encourage all Tasmanians to get their thinking caps on to come up with the object that best encapsulates what they feel has shaped our great state.”

TMAG Director, Bill Bleathman, said both the museum and the ABC had set up dedicated Shaping Tasmania websites, and so people will be able to contribute their suggestions for the 100th object online.

“These websites will feature profiles and images of each of the objects, as well as audio descriptions voiced by 936 ABC Hobart and ABC Northern Tasmania presenters,” Mr Bleathman said.

“They will also be mobile-friendly, so TMAG visitors will be able to interact with the content on their smartphones while they visit they museum, utilising TMAG’s free wi-fi.

Shaping Tasmania will truly be a highlight of the redeveloped museum.”

Contributions for the 100th Shaping Tasmania object open on Friday, 1 February 2013 and close on 28 February 2013. The 100th object will then be announced in the weeks leading up to TMAG’s reopening on 15 March 2013.

Visit the Shaping Tasmania websites at www.shapingtasmania.tmag.tas.gov.au and www.abc.net.au/hobart to view the objects and make your contribution.