Technologically Mediated Experiences of Visitors to the Frederic Chopin Museum: Postphenomenological Perspective on Touchscreens Affordances

Abstract

Nowadays, technology plays an important role in supporting museum visits and enhancing overall museum visit experiences. An increasing number of studies have evaluated the potential of digitally mediated cultural heritage experiences. However, there is still a lack of a deeper understanding of how mediation devices influence the museum visit experiences and visitors’ behaviours. This article focuses on the mediating role of digital screens in the museum space, examining visitors’ activity and experience through their encounters with touchscreens at the Frederic Chopin's Museum in Warsaw, Poland. This article presents and makes use of a recent approach in the philosophy of technology, initiated by the American philosopher Don Ihde, called postphenomenology, as well as the theory of affordances. By conducting observations and interviews with museum visitors, the study shows that touchscreens, and digital technologies themselves, are not only functional but also shape the visitor's perception and expectations. This study shows that touchscreens are an embodiment technique and play a role of the touch-substitute for museum visitors.