DICKENS AND MASSACHUSETTS

Lowell, MA

"Fantastic working with you, Chris. Everyone tonight was gushing about the fantastic
exhibit design. Thanks again for all your hard work on the project and for giving us a
such a beautiful product!"
-Dr. Diana Archibald, co-curator

"And once again, it was a real pleasure to work with you. You created a beautiful design,
and you are a consummate professional. It's a real joy to have you as our designer."
-Christine Wirth, conservator, Lowell NHP

Exhibit Design: Proun Design, LLC
Exhibit Fabrication: Aries Custom Works, Inc.
Size: 1,200 sf
Design/Build Budget: $75,000
Opened: 2012

Lowell National Historical Park and University of Massachusetts, Lowell
A Tale of Power and Transformation

At the age of 29, Charles Dickens was already a rock star! Known internationally for such works as The Pickwick Papers, Oliver Twist, and Nicholas Nickelby, the young author made his first trip to the United States in 1842. Though hounded by the Victorian version of the paparazzi, the young author enjoyed Boston and Lowell, Massachusetts; he was especially impressed with the mill girls. The rest of the Union . . . not so much.

Proun Design, in collaboration with Dr. Diana Archibald, a Dickens scholar from University of Massachusetts, Lowell, and the Lowell National Historical Park under the directorship of David Blackurn, created an exhibit chronicling Dickens's first trip to America in 1842 and his return trip 25 years later. Bold use of imagery, contemporary typefaces, and an edgy color palette project the modern relevance of this exemplary author.

Here & Now: Dickens the Jon Stewart of His Day?
http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2012/02/03/charles-dickens-anniversary

Radio Boston: Dickens's Life and Work Explored in Mass. Celebration
http://radioboston.wbur.org/2012/03/23/dickens-umass-lowell

WBUR: Dickens Toured Mass. With Some 'Great Expectations'
https://www.wbur.org/2012/03/23/charles-dickens-massachusetts