If hell were other people, then the Book of Kells exhibition at Trinity College was hell made manifest.
The exhibition design did not effectively manage and direct movement. And they let way too many people in at any given time.
The preamble exhibition space was just populated with stuff to look at. So the overly large crowds meandered around, getting in each other's way, though mostly very politely. Imagine a crowded Asian street market shoehorned into a confined space, without the enticing smell of food.
The displays were interesting, but let down by tiny dim (CRT!) screens and the classic fail of setting type too small. The designers clearly failed to take into account that most visitors are older and have less than optional eyesight.
These combined forced people to go right up to the displays to read/view the content, which of course limited the view of those not directly in front of the displays, or those more reluctant to push into the front.
The actual two Books of Kell on display in the "Treasury" were practically unviewable.
They were housed in a dining table sized case with no set queuing order or traffic direction. So everyone simply pushed in where they could. Those in front would manically hog and defend their positions, as if their eternal salvation depends on this proximity.
From what I could see of the actual books (without shoving grannies aside) was visually meh. The necessary din lighting did not help.
The Internet offers much better images. I didn't think this exhibition was worth the €10 entry fee and the aggravation.
The long room of the old library made up for the disappointment somewhat. It is a lovely space. This post was written in the long room.
