Menominee Clans Kiosk

Following almost two years of planning, the interpretive computer kiosk for the Menominee Clans Story permanent exhibit is completed.  The Menominee Clans Story displays wood figures carved by the Menominee traditional artist, James F. Frechette, Jr.  Known by the Menominee as "The Little Menominee," the intricately carved and painted figures stand between twelve and twenty inches high. Through an indigenous art form of the tribe, Mr. Frechette faithfully captures the cultural dimensions of the ancient clan system depicting dress, symbols, tools, colors, traditions, and many details of the now fast fading way of life.  The Clans Story Exhibit itself is not complete, with a number of figures yet to be carved, and labels put in place.  The kiosk presentation will continually expand and be enhanced as the figures are completed.

The kiosk, adjacent to the exhibit on the south side of the newly remodeled lobby, consists of a handsome two-seat bench, a 21" flat-panel computer display, and a cabinet to house the computer and audio amplifiers.  The kiosk is intended to provide interpretation of the permanent exhibit.  Exhibit visitors  may use the kiosk to view the clans carvings in dynamic three-dimensional images, or read and hear the Origin Story read in English by James F. Frechette, Jr. and in Menominee by Mike Hoffmann.  The presentation also includes information on the clans structure, the artist, and a list of selected references for further study.  Funding for the kiosk was provided by the University Foundation.

The readings of the Origin Story are broadcast through a parabolic sound dome that is fixed above the bench.  The dome focuses sound to kiosk visitors, largely masking it from other lobby users.

The kiosk is constructed from recycled oak salvaged from the recent remodel of the University Library's lobby.  Ed Marks, Curator of UWSP's Museum of Natural History, designed and built the modules, integrating fabrics and design elements matching the lobby's decor.  The computer and audio equipment, including the parabolic dome, were configured and installed by Dave Timm, the Library's Senior Information Processing Consultant.  The kiosk presentation was designed by Arne Arneson, UWSP's Director of Teaching-Learning Resources, incorporating the artist's graphics.  The presentation is modeled after the larger Menominee Clans Story Web site, which is available at http://library.uwsp.edu/MenomineeClans/.

The exhibit and kiosk are available during the hours of opening of the Learning Resources Center.  For the hours, please see http://library.uwsp.edu/hours.htm.