Hardship & Healing Gallery
Occupying a focal point in the rotunda gallery of the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland, this media installation tells the story of Native peoples’ healing traditions.
The story of Native peoples is one filled with adversity and hardship, but also survival and resurgence. By way of an innovative series of timelines, this interactive installation looks at cultures on the rebound and provides a reappreciation of traditional healing methods. While visitors browse the interactive kiosks, data is sent to a large, fifteen-screen media display that acts as a beacon and informative billboard.
The centerpiece of the kiosk design uses a series of circular timelines, implying that time is oftentimes cyclical, rather than linear—an idea inspired by Native conceptions of history. The timeline is organized by six major eras, from 10,000 BC to the present day, and events are color-coded, based on themes. As visitors activate any given event, the timeline spins like a ferris wheel and focuses on granular historical events, each supplemented with images and anecdotes. The animations and colorful transitions make for a fun and insightful look at this important subject.