It is my pleasure to write a letter of support for
David Durlach, a most remarkable artist-engineer with
whom we have worked many times in the past and hope
to continue working well into the future.
Hands On! Inc. is an award-winning, not-for-profit
museum master planning and design firm that prides
itself on innovative educational philosophies and
a willingness to take risks in redefining the museum
experience, particularly in the growing fields of
science centers and children's museums. We have designed
for institutions in Texas, Ohio, California, New Jersey,
Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile,
and Egypt. Our current project is a multi-million-dollar
UK Millennium Fund project in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Hands On! has worked with any number of artists and
exhibit designers and David's ideas are consistently
the most innovative and affecting for the vast and
varied public whom we serve. We have worked together
for seven years now, developing new experiences and
incorporating existing ones into the institutions
we design. David's remarkable sense of the interactive
potential between science and art is a perfect match
with the atmosphere of discovery and inspiration that
we try to convey to the museum visitor. His artworks
reach out to visitors across a broad spectrum, inviting
people to learn through creativity and experience
rather than didactic instruction. Based on our prototyping
and formal evaluations, visitors of all ages retain
far more information about the science presented and
have a more fulfilling experience using David's exhibits
than any other, more traditional science center exhibit.
What impresses us most about his work is the "social"
nature of the experiences. While they are technologically
and scientifically advanced, they express that sophistication
with an almost childlike wonder that captivates all
who encounter them. In the laughter, the conversations
and questions, the way one person pulls another over
to see and experience, the unforgettable smiles and
emotion, we consistently see the success of David's
work.
David Durlach is, by far, one of the most dedicated
and inventive people with whom we have had the pleasure
of working. His devotion to reaching people of all
ages, genders and cultures through the integration
of science, art and personal experience is rare and
welcome indeed. Science centers, children's museums
and other informal learning centers are crying out
for innovative exhibitry that reaches a broad audience,
and David's philosophy and work fit this bill perfectly.
It is Hands On!'s greatest wish to continue our collaboration
with this talented man, and we wholeheartedly endorse
anything done to advance his work.
Sincerely,
Sharon L. Rupe
Senior Project Manager
Hands On! Inc.
