Ian Weightman – an associate of Mark Hibbert Media Services – gives his verdict on Derby’s new Museum of Making
Derby’s new Museum of Making opened a little behind schedule in May for all of the obvious reasons, but it still managed to burst forth as an all-singing, all-dancing celebration of what has made, and still makes, the city tick.
Based within the restored brick walls and on the site of the world’s first factory, it’s an unapologetic £17-million feast of Derby’s past, present and – arguably most importantly of all – its future.
Developed by Derby Museums, the building itself has always been a key feature of the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site. Only now, it’s also a contemporary space, showcasing 300-years of history, innovation and “making” in its own, creative way.
It succeeds in combining a city’s heritage and around 30,000 artefacts, with a kaleidoscope of colour and creativity. Think traditional museum. And then think again.
Stepping into the Museum of Making is like stepping out of your comfort zone and into the hidden depths of an entire city’s complex DNA profile. It might look like an explosion in a warehouse-sized antiques centre at times, but what this place has is character, charisma and charm…by the bucket-full!
It’s all of the notes, not necessarily in the right order. But the very fact that that it has been deconstructed in this way is precisely what makes it work so well. All of the parts are here. You just need to take the time and effort to piece it all together for yourself. In that respect, and in keeping with its purpose, and its name, it’s well worth “making the effort” to visit – wherever you might live in the UK.
Just don’t arrive with any preconceived ideas, either. Don’t come expecting to find hundreds of interpretation panels. Don’t think you’re going to be led by the hand on a 300 years chronological trail of industry and development. And – you really do need to visit the place to understand this one – please “Don’t Spit”!
It’s brilliant. Humourous. Fascinating. And fun. Best of all, it’s different. And, just like it says on the tin, it’s “innovative”.
Even the map in the centre pages of the leaflet you’re given on arrival feels a little like the instructions you’ll find inside an Airfix kit. You need to put the numbers together yourself, find your way around the four floors of curiously named rooms, and keep your wits about you. So – The Gateway is connected to the Throwing Room; the Loom Room is connected to the Flight Deck; The Warehouse is connected to The Cocoon. Railways are Revealed; Assemblage points passed-through; and Views taken-in.
In amongst all of that are the eye-catching, thought-provoking, and fascinating artefacts and collections – gathered together over three centuries, and now found on floorboards, shelves, plinths, and even hanging from the ceilings of this magnificent, monumental building.
Original features, such as the Mill’s arched foundations that enables water from a flooding River Derwent to safely pass beneath the building, and the façade, have been left in place wherever possible – with bricks from the demolition reclaimed for use elsewhere on the project. New elements have then been created to provide exhibition and co-working spaces, including the roof space of the Italian Mill which is reconfigured to include a glazed viewpoint area.
At ground level, the Civic Hall – a triple height glass atrium filling the space between the Italian and Sowter mill buildings – has become the main entrance, allowing access to all floors, and offering itself as in due course a flexible performance and exhibition space.
Everyone will discover their own highlights, of course: those magical moments when you turn a corner and come across that ‘thing’ which takes your breath away, or simply makes you smile.
Have a look through the square window of this particular Playhouse, for example, and what you’ll see is a semi-assembled Toyota Corolla hatchback with a 1.8l hybrid engine dangling from the roof. Turn into that corridor and you’ll be about as up close and personal with a seven-tonne Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 jet engine as you could ever be.
And do take time to read the visitors’ noticeboard answering the questions “What was the first thing, and the last thing, you made?”.
It’s a sculpture hall, an art gallery, a collection, a space, a café, a community effort, an inspiration and a triumph.
Derby’s historic old Silk Mill may have been ‘reimagined’ as a museum. And the museum, in turn, partly deconstructed. But put all of the pieces together, and it all makes for one great experience.
