Deep Roots: Plants As Medicine
Client/Company: The Bakken Museum
Project Description: Deep Roots: Plants as Medicine fosters reflection and discussion by challenging preconceptions about plants and health. Located in the Sun Room of The Bakken’s West Winds Mansion, the exhibit overlooks the Florence Bakken Medicinal Gardens, connecting visitors with the world outside. A series of panels with layered elements, colors, and textures reveals the widespread use of plants for healing over time and hints at the future as our understanding of plant medicine evolves. Visitors can explore the different ways we use medicinal plants today with a hands-on medicine cabinet puzzle. A touchscreen interactive kiosk allows them to dig deeper into stories about plants as medicine, discover the impact of medical cannabis, and explore a virtual version of The Bakken’s gardens and medicinal plants. Sponsored by LeafLine Labs, one of only two Minnesota state-approved cannabis growers and distributers, the exhibit recognizes the controversy surrounding the use of medical cannabis with an empty plot and contextual sign located in direct view.
Julie’s Role: Project Manager / Exhibit Developer / Writer
Working with internal and external partners to develop the key messages and learning goals, I managed the Deep Roots: Plants as Medicine project from start to finish. From there, I researched, developed, and wrote all the content for both the panel exhibit, as well as the kiosk, which contained numerous stories and a database of approximately 80 plants. Because of the limited nature of a small exhibit, it was challenging to cover all we wanted to include. I had to distill the information into accessible nuggets for the panels, using the kiosk to highlight additional stories and create opportunities for deeper exploration.
The production schedules were short. We installed the panel exhibit just four months after our kickoff meeting. I selected a graphic designer with a vision for maximizing our small space. Together with the fabricator, we collaborated to select the appropriate materials to achieve our desired look and feel and create a compelling and visually dynamic exhibit. Once the main exhibit was in place, kiosk development started immediately afterward, launching four months later. I worked with the media producer, overseeing the design, production, and installation of the interactive.
Interactive medicine cabinet shows how people use medicinal plants in everyday products. Image credit: The Bakken Museum
"Deep Roots: Plants as Medicine" intro panel. Image credit: Julie Govert
While limited to the walls, this panel exhibit uses multiple layers and textures to add dimension. Image credit: Julie Govert
Main menu of "Dig Deeper" interactive kiosk. Image credit: Julie Govert
Users can virtually explore the approximately 80 medicinal plants in The Bakken's five gardens. Image credit: Julie Govert
Part timeline, part map, this panel shows the widespread use of plant medicine in around the world over time. Image credit: Julie Govert
A real plant is affixed to this panel, which explores the future of medicinal plants. Image credit: Julie Govert
The exhibit extends beyond the walls of the building to the medicinal gardens. Image credit: Julie Govert