1X4

1X4 is an innovative, collection-rich, social history exhibition exploring the multiplicity of narratives each object can tell. Designed as a flexible Covid safe regional tourer, this exhibition highlights the role of curators and historians in shaping how we perceive significance and that each person’s view of an object or event is different.

Elegant in design with a flexible layout, low rental fees and reasonable environmental controls, 1X4 allows regional museums in NSW to highlight multiple histories, a diverse historical collection and the art of museology in a small exhibition gallery.

Developed by Newcastle Museum, rather than labels on a wall, the secrets of 1X4 are revealed via your mobile phone or tablet by visiting 1x4.com.au. If you would like to delve deeper, pack your headphone for an audio tour.

The addition of NSW curriculum based educational programs, the use of tech savvy labelling and a cost-effective marketing suite makes 1X4 an accessible way to bring new audiences into your institution while not alienating long term patrons.

Museums use objects to tell stories. It sounds simple but it’s complicated.

Objects can tell multiple stories from many points of view. So, who chooses the story? Which story is the truth? In museums, curators choose an interpretation but 1X4 turns this upside down. Each object in this exhibition tells four distinct stories. You can listen to or read each of the four stories … or some … or none and just enjoy the beauty of the objects. Every story is the truth about the object and is a valid way to view the object, but they are all different.

1x4 is the overall national winner of the 2021 MAGNAs

The judges comments on 1x4:

This innovative and cost effective project would be a great template for regional museums and galleries. It is innovative in how it responds to a Covid world as well as telling stories in different and challenging ways. And, Small and perfectly formed from start to finish.