The Asahi Shimbun Displays in Room 3 were a series of free temporary displays that showcased single or small groups of objects from the Museum's collection, ranging from the earliest human artefacts to objects from the present day.
Set in a space in which these objects could be the focus of deeper contemplation and understanding, the Asahi Shimbun Displays were also a testing ground for innovation in design and interpretation.
Since their introduction in 2005, the Asahi Shimbun Displays were a huge success. More than 40 displays were mounted, attracting over 2.5 million visitors. With so much to explore in the British Museum, the Asahi Shimbun Displays provided visitors with an accessible introduction to a global collection. The series was a vital opportunity for the Museum to celebrate its diverse collection, research and ideas, and to learn how it might improve its larger temporary exhibitions and permanent gallery displays.
These displays were made possible by the support of The Asahi Shimbun Company, longstanding corporate sponsors of the British Museum. With a circulation of approximately 6 million for the morning edition alone, The Asahi Shimbun is the most prestigious newspaper in Japan. The company also publishes magazines and books, and provides a substantial information service via the internet. The Asahi Shimbun Company has a century-long tradition of philanthropic support, notably staging key exhibitions in Japan on art, culture and history from around the world.
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