Madhushree Kamak | National Institute of Design
Madhushree Kamak
Project Description
The project titled "Exhibition Design for Public Engagement with Science" was undertaken by Madhushree Kamak as part of her Masters of Design (M. Des) program at the National Institute of Design. Supported by Science Gallery Bengaluru (SGB), the project aimed to create an engaging and interactive pop-up exhibition on the Periodic Table of Elements, marking the 150th anniversary of Dmitri Mendeleev's discovery. The exhibition, titled ELEMENTS, was designed to attract young adults and the general public to explore the chemical elements through various interdisciplinary approaches, including art, history, and hands-on experiments.
The exhibition-season featured eight exhibits and nine programmes, including interactive installations, historical displays, and participatory activities. Key exhibits included Through the Looking Glass, showcasing elements in their natural forms, and Bring Your Own Element, a crowd-sourced periodic table. Programmes such as Edible Elements allowed participants to explore the chemical composition of food, while Turning the Table Upside Down facilitated discussions between scientists and historians.
Outcomes of the project included successful engagement with over 2,200 visitors, with 40% being young adults. The exhibition received positive feedback, with 90% of visitors rating it highly. It also kickstarted the mediator programme at SGB, training young adults to facilitate visitor interactions. Overall, the exhibition fostered curiosity, critical thinking, and a deeper understanding of the periodic table and its relevance to everyday life.
Institution: National Institute of Design
Supervisor: Dr Bibhudatta Baral
Year: June 2019 - November 2019
About
Madhushree Kamak
Designer
Madhushree Kamak is an independent art-science curator and information experience designer who specialises in creating exhibitions and cultural programs at the intersection of art, science, and technology. As a Brooks International Fellow at Tate Modern, she researched emerging technologies like AI and their role in cultural spaces.
Previously, she led Exhibitions and Programmes at Science Gallery Bengaluru, curating major seasons including ELEMENTS, SUBMERGE, PHYTOPIA, CONTAGION, PSYCHE, and CARBON. She also initiated the Xperimenter Programme, a mentorship-based learning initiative that was a 2022 finalist at Falling Walls Berlin.
Her curatorial journey includes fellowships and residencies with the Berlin Biennale (2022), Khoj (2021), and Ars Electronica (2021).
Kamak's professional achievements include participating in the Berlin Biennale Curators Programme 2022, and being named a Khoj Curatorial Intensive South Asia Fellow 2021. She was also a member of the Ars Electronica Creative Producers Programme 2021.