The Experiential Design Index

The Mere Distinction of Colour — James Madison's Montpelier

The Mere Distinction of Colour, a 13,800-square-foot permanent exhibition on slavery at James Madison's Montpelier in Montpelier Station, Virginia, opened in June 2017; exhibit design by Proun Design with Neal Mayer, fabrication by Mystic Scenic Studios, and media production by Northern Light Productions.

VenueJames Madison's Montpelier
Project typeNew Exhibition
StatusCompleted
Year completed2017
Technologiesmulti-screen film, immersive projection, audio programs

Credits

FirmRoleNote
Proun Design Exhibit Design Project direction, content development, and graphic design.
neal-mayer Exhibit Design Space planning and 3D exhibit design. Neal Mayer is an individual solo exhibit-design consultant (nealmayer.com).
Mystic Custom Fabrication Fabrication
Northern Light Productions Content Production Media production

Description

The exhibition includes five interactive stations, a multi-screen presentation, an immersive projection experience, and two audio programs, including "Fate in the Balance," a first-person narrative in a storeroom setting, and "Legacies of Slavery," a five-screen film. It received the National Council on Public History's 2018 Outstanding Public History Project award and two 2018 AAM MUSE Silver awards.

Sources