Chana
Moses, The Courtauld Institute
of Art, United Kingdom
Workshop: [A31]
- Museums and the Strategic Choice of Interactive Interpretive
Tools
As museums find themselves vying for public
attention as never before in history, they are using a range of
tactics from blockbuster exhibitions to architectural marvels
to lure the public. The one necessity that remains constant is
the need to ‘deliver’ the art to the public in an effective way.
The choice of interactive technology in
addition to more traditional interpretive tools deserves strategic
planning and careful consideration. As museum staff react to the
revolutionary late twentieth-century shift in focus to pleasing
a diverse and increasingly multi-media demanding audience, it
may well prove critical to their future success to examine this
issue in the present. The diversity of museum technology in the
market is mind-boggling. Particularly for museum archivists, the
long-range forecast of a costly program demands the consideration
of many factors: audience and staff needs, realistic maintenance,
overall usability, lifespan of the technology, etc.
This workshop will address various advantages
and disadvantages of using interactive interpretive tools through
past and current research and case studies in order to assist
others in their strategic planning. We will review interpretive
tools in use at several major museums in the UK, as well as, the
implications of tying these tools to the 'online collection'.
I. Background
A. Definition of ‘interactive interpretive
tool’
B. Beginning of the Computer Generation:
1968 ICA show: Art and Technology progressing to R.L. Rutsky’s
theory of technology’s aesthetic and "constructivism to cyberspace".
C. Education, entertainment, both? Tim Caulton-
Hands-on exhibitions/ beginning with Oppenheimer’s Exploratorium
D. As an educational (interpretive) tool
II. Educational Research and Exemplary Projects
A. Stephanie Koester’s Instructional Technology
Report
B. Charlie Gere
C. Xavier Perrot
D. National Gallery- Micro Gallery
E. British Museum- ‘Compass’
F. Tate Modern- wireless tour guide
III. Case Study: The V& A; Results of Public
Survey
IV. Breakout Session/ What Are the Issues
and Goals in Your Organization?
V. Important factors to consider when choosing
interactive technology
{cite museums of varying size, content
and locale}
A. Museum Content/Audience/ Location and
Size
B. Volume of Usage: The Who, What & Why
C. Structure/ space: Strategic placement
D. Relationship to the Website: Copyright
Issues.
E. More emphasis on permanent or temporary
exhibitions- Once used for a temporary exhibition will it come
to be expected?
VI. Options/ levels to go interactive
A. Technologies On the Market:
[traditional terminals and kiosks to VR
and everything in between]
B. Future trends- Recs. from some leading
firms
1. Antenna Audio
2. System Simulation, Ltd.
3. Cognitive Applications
C. FUNDING
VII. Conclusion- Evaluation of forms for
each attendee + recommendations
ichim03 @ archimuse.com
