"According to Michael Spock, Vice President for Public Programs at the Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago, 'When you look around America, there are really very few exhibits that address the issues of Africans and African-Americans, and the links between them, in any sort of reasonable way. They seem too narrowly focused or so old-fashioned in perspective that they make you cringe when you go by them.' "In 1987, the Field Museum set out to change that. As one of the four great natural history museums in the world, with some of the finest and most impressive African ethnological collections, the museum has undertaken a monumental challenge: the construction of a permanent multidisciplinary exhibit on Africa. "With more than 100 hours of tape shot over the five-year preparation process, WTTW's production team captured the development of this exhibit which, unprecedented in size, approach, and presentation, spans 15,000 square feet. "Interspersed with interviews with scholars, scientists, designers and developers, this documentary presents the viewer with a deeper understanding of their particular area of expertise and the professional and scholarly considerations involved in creating such an exhibit. Archival slides and photographs from the museum, as well as photographs from the researches' trip to Africa, help to provide additional visual support. Museum staff and researchers worked closely with the producer to ensure accuracy and relevancy."--1993 Peabody Awards entry form.
