Girlhood (It's Complicated)

This exhibit celebrates the ways that girls and young women have shaped the political, economic, and cultural life of our nation. A dynamic mix of artifacts, girls’ own perspectives, pop culture icons, and custom artwork amplifies the voices of too-often-overlooked young individuals. The design is structured on girls' magazines, with sections like News and Politics, Fashion, Wellness, Work, and Education. Larger-than-life custom murals announce exhibit content and themes of each zone. Inside, interactivity, media, artifacts, and biographies show girls’ role in shaping America. Graphics, inspired by girls' self-published zines, are enhanced by collage effects, infographics, and hand-written curators' notes that draw visitors' eyes to important details. After three years in Washington, DC, the exhibit will travel—in its entirety—to venues nationwide via the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibit Service. The modular design fluidly adapts to a range of possible site conditions while maintaining the finesse of a permanent Smithsonian exhibit. Photo credit: Judy Davis