Miocene of the Northrend Croatia was an exhibition about findings left from the times when the see covered landmass which is now Northrend Croatia. Lots of fossils were found. Even some large whales. The Miocene itself is a geological period from about 5-20 milion years ago. Exhibition took place in the Croatian Natural History Museum - Client. Deadline was one month. 

This was also my first freelance gig.

The exhibition set had to depict the coastal/coral reef environment. It was to be modular and easy to transport since the exhibition toured to other museums. Choice of material was cardboard due to its availability, ease of manipulation and it fit the budget.

The brief from the client was mostly some pictures of coral reefs and coast in Thailand since it resembles the Miocene environment. Next step was taking a survey at the place. Using painting tape, I made some quick and simple sketches of the set footprint. 

While observing (on the internet of course) shapes and life forms on coral reefs, I noticed a pattern - called diffusion-reaction. I think it by itself represents the coral reef very well, but I could not find a way to use it or incorporate it in my design. Fortunately, it led me to my good friend Voronoi.

Using Grasshopper and Rhino, I divided the exhibition space into Voronoi cells. Interesting areas were extruded to random heights to portray either level below the sea or above. Voronoi gave the notion of something organic - natural (Fingal's Cave). 

The end result was a very abstract depiction coral reef and the Client approved it. 

In the final version, there were 78 different elements. There were several elements for each: top and base layer, shroud and an inner layer that gave it more rigidness. For each, I had to make a CNC cutting diagram. Since the "boxes" were irregular in shape, it had to be done manually - a lenghtly process.

Unquestionably, that could be automated with Grasshopper, but since time was of the essence, I could not waste it on learning.  

I was fortunate to have Model d.d. provide me with a CNC machine.

During the installation, I had lots of help from my dear friend Lovro. It took us around 10 days to cut everything and assemble it. We had to feed the CNC with cardboard and diagrams. 

During the whole process, no one thought about how to protect the exhibits - well not until it was almost too late. The solution came in situ. Transparent tubes formed from sheets of acrylic were glued on top of the exhibits. Maybe not the prettiest solution, but it was functional & fast.

Things I learned:
- how to negotiate with the Client and the supplier
- how to present ideas to someone
- how to motivate me and others
- what is it like to work for Museum
- how to make a valid contract
- ask a question, ask some more, sleep and tomorrow ask some more