Museum Environment Research Articles

Approaches to Identifying Emotions and Affections During the Museum Learning Experience in the Context of the Future Internet

The Future Internet aims to revolutionize digital interaction by integrating advanced technologies like AI and IoT, enabling a dynamic and resilient network. It envisions emotionally intelligent systems that can interpret and respond to human feelings, creating immersive, empathy-driven learning experiences. This evolution aspires to form a responsive digital ecosystem that seamlessly connects technology and human emotion. This paper presents a computational model aimed at enhancing the emotional aspect of learning experiences within museum environments. The model is designed to represent and manage affective and emotional feedback, with a focus on how emotions can significantly impact the learning process in a museum context. The proposed model seeks to identify and quantify emotions during a visitor’s engagement with museum exhibits. To achieve this goal, we primarily explored the following: (i) methods and techniques for assessing and recognizing emotional responses in museum visitors, (ii) feedback management strategies based on the detection of visitors’ emotional states. Then, the methodology was tested on 1000 cases via specific questionnaire forms, along with the presentation of images and short videos, and the results of data analysis are reported. The findings contribute toward establishing a comprehensive methodology for the identification and quantification of the emotional state of museum visitors.

Exploring the Role of Smellscape in Enhancing Landscape Perception: A Case Study in the University History Museum

As the cultural importance of universities continues to grow, university museums have become key platforms for promoting university heritage and values. However, enhancing the visitor experience in these museums remains challenging. This study examines the effectiveness of smellscape in enhancing the visitor experience in university history museums, with a focus on how various scents impact visitors’ emotions. Using the Fuzhou University History Museum as a case study, the museum was divided into three distinct zones: the Historical Evolution Zone (HEZ), the Contemporary Development Zone (CDZ), and the Thematic Exhibition Zone (TEZ). Specific scents were selected for each area to evaluate their emotional impact, and data were gathered using electroencephalography (EEG) indicators, emotional questionnaires, and scent pleasure scales. The results indicated that calming scents like sandalwood and agarwood, used in the HEZ, convey a sense of historical depth but may also evoke negative emotions, whereas sage enhances positive feelings. In the CDZ, rosemary and mint significantly improve emotional states, while lemongrass exhibits weaker pleasantness and appears less suited for this area. In the TEZ, scents such as patchouli and orange blossom align well with future-oriented themes, demonstrating high levels of pleasantness and emotional value. Smellwalk interviews further validated the experimental results, revealing notable differences in the emotional impact of smellscape across different exhibit zones. A thoughtful selection of scents can enhance the cultural expression of spaces and effectively regulate visitors’ emotional experiences, strengthening the cultural resonance of museum environments. Future designers may consider incorporating olfactory elements into landscape design.

Translating the narrative of tolerance in designing a museum environment

The study explores the design of a museum environment based on the narrative of 'tolerance.' Museums deliver in-depth and interactive messages through creating spatial experiences that provides information and engages visitor's emotions. This academic design study utilises the narrative architecture approach to compose and create holistic spatial flow that guide visitors through various sensory experiences. The design of the museum environment consists of five core spaces with different flows of sensorial narrative related to the experience of tolerance, named Susila, Sahayanda, Sabah, Sadrah, and Segianya. The sequence between spaces allows for a coherent and progressive narrative of tolerance, enabling visitors to feel a deep involvement from one space to another. Sensorially, manipulation and organisation of spatial scales bring different experiences of light, texture, sound, and visuals to create a comprehensive and memorable experience. The application of narrative architecture allows the museum environment to evolve, not only as a place to exhibit artefacts but also as a dynamic educational platform. It provides important information about the history of tolerance-related events and reflectively enriches how the visitors experience the space. Connections between the conveyed narrative of tolerance and the space create a vibrant experience of the overall museum environment.

The Story of an Egyptian Cat Mummy Through CT Examination

Much of the fascination surrounding Egyptian civilization is linked to the practice of mummification. In fact, to ensure the preservation of the body, the ancient Egyptians mummified both human and animal subjects. However, mummified animal remains are less well studied, although they represent a significant part of the material culture and history of ancient Egypt. The introduction of non-invasive imaging methods has allowed researchers to study the material hidden within the wrappings of mummies. In this article, the cat mummy currently exhibited at the Museo Etnologico Missionario di San Francesco di Fiesole (Florence, Italy), originating from Luxor and legally acquired during an expedition in the 20th century, was analyzed using computed tomography (CT). The CT enabled the identification of the casing content, showing the presence of an entire cat skeleton. The cat had several fractures, some of which were identified in the cervical region, possibly related to the cause of death. Furthermore, the zooarcheological analysis allowed the identification of the age at death of the cat, providing further information about the story of the mummy. This research provides a further contribution to the analysis of mummies, with a case study of a cat mummy that emphasizes the importance of CT scans in humanistic studies and museum environments.

Gamification of virtual museum curation: a case study of Chinese bronze wares

Museums, which are among the most popular science institutions outside schools, are usually used to display and introduce historical culture and cultural relics to tourists. Text and audio explanations are used by traditional museums to popularize historical knowledge and science for tourists, and general interactive systems are based on desktops. This learning method is relatively boring in terms of experience. As a result, tourists have no desire or interest in actively exploring and learning about bronze ware, so they only have a basic understanding about bronze ware. Since most tourists are familiar with games, they are more likely to be attracted by game content and will actively explore and interact with it. In addition, a certain degree of reality is created by virtual reality technology and an immersive experience through head-mounted devices is provided to users. In this paper, we take Chinese bronzes as the research objects. We first use 3D laser scanners to obtain bronze models ; then, we build a virtual museum environment, and we finally design a virtual reality curation game based on this bronze digital museum. This game offers visitors an immersive museum roaming and bronze ware interactive experience. Through a combination of text, video learning, and games, visitors’ curiosity and desire to explore bronze ware are stimulated, and their understanding and ability to remember bronze ware knowledge can be deepened. In terms of cultural heritage, this game is also conducive to the spread of traditional Chinese bronze culture throughout the world.

Using extended reality technologies in modern museums

This study explores the nature, core features, and evolution of extended reality (XR) technologies in the 21st century, focusing on their potential in the museum context. It examines academic research and representative examples of cultural heritage enhancement from international museum practices. The specific characteristics and properties of each technology within XR’s broader scope, including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality, are identified and analyzed. In addition, the study explores designs or case studies of these technologies’ application in the museum environment, including the emerging Metaverse, which blends VR and AR within the same broader conceptual framework. Furthermore, the study examines why these innovative technologies resonate with museums and assesses their impact on relational communication between modern museums and the public, particularly younger audiences. It also highlights limitations or obstacles to their widespread adoption of XR technologies in museums, while outlining future prospects for their integration. Overall, the study provides a comprehensive overview of XR’s use in museums, focusing on how these technologies enhance cultural values. It offers reflection and suggestions for authors and museum professionals regarding the design and implementation of XR technologies in modern museums.

Investigation of Photoinduced Deterioration in Shadow Puppet Artifacts Collected from the National Shadow Pupperty Museum in Chengdu, China

Shadow puppet artifacts are a special type of cultural heritage made from animal skin, possessing significant cultural and artistic value. However, there is insufficient attention to the scientific preservation of these artifacts, and systematic research on their protection is lacking. In particular, light as an important factor and related conservation studies are weak. This study investigates the photoinduced deterioration of shadow puppet artifacts from the National Shadow Pupperty Museum in Chengdu collection. Based on the xenon arc lamp are a common method of light aging, the modern rawhide samples were aged by the xenon arc lamp to simulate photoinduced deterioration. After artificial light aging, the samples were stored in a stable environment (with temperature maintained at 22 ± 2°C and relative humidity maintained at 50 ± 5%RH) for 150 days. It attempts to avoid further deterioration of the samples due to drastic cyclic changes in the environment. And continuously observe changes in characteristics during this process to verify the potential reversibility of photoinduced deterioration. Comprehensive assessments were conducted to gauge the extent of deterioration. In order to assess the deterioration, a series of analytical techniques were used. Moisture gain or loss was inferred from mass changes, and colorimetric measurements were measured using the CIELAB formula. Macroscopic and microscopic morphological damage was documented through camera, stereo microscope, and scanning electron microscope observations. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) assessed amide bond degradation and moisture loss, while thermogravimetry/differential thermogravimetry (TG/DTG) evaluated collagen denaturation and thermal stability. The results indicated that prolonged light exposure caused significant deterioration, including color fading, moisture evaporation, and structural damage such as shrinkage and cracking. The findings indicate that light exposure is a crucial factor in the preservation of shadow puppet artifacts. Therefore, it is essential to implement careful management strategies in museum environments to ensure the protection of these artifacts.

Rethinking culture: a narrative review on the evolving role of museum and art gallery-based heritage activities and programmes on wellbeing.

The prevalence of chronic mental and physical diseases is increasing globally. In addition, the changing demographics towards an ageing population pose a challenge to healthcare systems, as ageing is associated with a decrease in physical and mental capacity and an increased risk of developing disease. The review aims to explore primary studies that investigated the effect of museum and art gallery-based heritage activities and programmes on the wellbeing of (1) individuals recovering from drug addiction or patients with dementia and (2) younger and older adults. We conducted a search using specific keywords, and inclusion and exclusion criteria, in databases for the period 2013-2023. Following a detailed examination of numerous articles, 15 original studies were included in this review. 15 original studies investigated the effects of museum and art gallery-based heritage activities or programmes on (1) patients with chronic diagnoses associated with mental health and/or physical impairment, such as drug addiction and dementia and (2) the wellbeing of younger and older populations. The interactive environment of museums had positive health outcomes for patients with chronic mental (addiction recovery, dementia) and physical diseases (cancer) as well as hospitalized patients. In addition, it improved the physical and mental wellbeing of younger and older individuals. Museum art-based interventions may be integrated as part of the non-pharmacological management of patients experiencing mental disorders as well as for improving the wellbeing of younger and older populations.

Accessibility and expansion of the narratives’ space: convergent technologies and semiotics of exposition in an art museum

The development of convergent technologies opens up new horizons for expanding the sensory experience of museum visitors, especially the people with disabilities and alternative perception. We argue that augmented reality (AR) technologies, mainly used to develop applications that visually expand physical spaces, may serve not only as a tool of inclusion and immersion, but also an instrument of reviewing the narrative of art history delivered by a classical museum. Although AR technologies are focused mainly on visuality, detecting and localizing objects and images, as well as mapping and augmenting the visual space, they could be employed to expand the museum environment by other sensory modalities, such as sound and tactile sensations. Increasing the level of information accessibility of museum expositions and the independence of the development of exhibition space by people with disabilities is possible, among other things, by providing them access to context-aware information (MoMA, Tate, Garage and other institutions provide examples of such type of curatorship and exposition design).Furthermore, we argue that the issue of contextualization of knowledge received by the museum visitor is considered should be considered in a broader sense: we take the museum as a space of narration, where the main concepts of art history (with its conventional semantic accents and limitations) are shaped, consolidated and delivered. Having analyzed the logic of a classical art museum exposition, we review the alternative models for presenting art history narratives (in curatorial projects of A. Malraux, J.-H. Martin and F. Lyotard) and argue that new media may become a tool not only for inclusiveness and immersion, but also for a special type of subjectivation of the viewer involved in the process of creative rethinking of the history of art. Inclusiveness, immersion and semantic flexibility provided by new media makes museums a space for an open dialogue. Instead of outlined birders and «ready-to-use» senses an exhibition can show how «other things are possible». We argue that curatorial experiments and media applications dedicated to art can turn a museum into a zone of seeking that awakens the viewer to an independent search for subtle meanings and stories that exist on the periphery of the classical history of art. And the new media extensions of museum space, considered in the context of inclusion, may also be viewed as a tool for building new narratives and developing models for a more flexible and complex interpretation of art history in a multipolar world.

Enhancing Museum Experiences: A Multi-Institution Mobile Multimedia Delivery System Using BLE Beacons

This paper presents a solution using Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon technology to enhance visitor experiences in museums, both indoors and outdoors. Organizations using the developed mobile service can associate text, images, video, and audio content to specific exhibits, providing a dynamic and engaging encounter for visitors. This innovative approach extends applicability to a wide range of organizations, not just museum environments.

The Role of Museum Design in Enhancing Visitor Learning: A Critical Review

This study examines the impact of museum design on knowledge acquisition through a comprehensive literature review. By analyzing existing research on museum architecture, exhibit layout, and visitor engagement, the study explores how design elements such as spatial organization, lighting, and interactive displays influence learning outcomes. The literature review reveals key insights into the ways museum environments shape cognitive processes and retention of information. Findings suggest that well-designed museums significantly enhance visitor engagement and facilitate deeper understanding. This review highlights existing trends and identifies gaps in the current research, providing a foundation for future empirical studies on the relationship between museum design and knowledge transfer

Bridging the Gap: Using Digital Interactives for Social Museums

Designing the built environment with an inclusive approach that allows equal access to everyone is necessary for reducing social inequalities. Creating a physical environment that includes all segments of society and activates all senses is crucial in museum spaces. Digital interactions used in museum spaces offer new possibilities and interfaces to eliminate inequalities and increase inclusiveness in museum spaces. This study examines the integration of digital interactives in museums with a focus on the social museum concept. Through a comprehensive review of literature spanning museum studies on social museums, digital interactives, and inclusive museum concepts, this research investigates the role of digital interactives in fostering social engagement and facilitating interactive learning experiences within museum settings. Drawing on the theoretical framework and practical examples the paper explores how to employ digital technologies strategically to enhance visitor interaction, promote inclusivity, and facilitate knowledge sharing in social museum environments. This research demonstrates the transformative potential of digital interactives in museums as social spaces and provides a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic relationship between technology, museum practices, and social inclusion.

Archaeometa: leveraging blockchain for secure and scalable virtual museums in the metaverse

The rapid evolution of the digital landscape has catalyzed the integration of blockchain technology within the domain of cultural heritage, particularly in virtual museums within the Metaverse. This study introduces ArchaeoMeta, a novel framework designed to leverage blockchain technology to enhance security, authenticity, and visitor interaction in a virtual museum environment. Utilizing smart contracts deployed on the Ethereum Sepolia testnet, the framework manages visitor interactions and secures digital artifacts, addressing challenges associated with scalability and user experience under varying loads. The performance evaluation involved simulating user interactions, scaling up to ten thousand concurrent users, to assess the impact on transaction latency, gas usage, and blockchain size. Findings reveal significant scalability challenges, as transaction latency and blockchain size increased with the number of users, highlighting areas for optimization in managing high user traffic within the blockchain infrastructure. This study contributes to the understanding of blockchain applications in cultural heritage, suggesting that while ArchaeoMeta offers a robust platform for virtual museums, enhancements in scalability through layer-2 solutions or alternative blockchain platforms are essential for its practical implementation. The framework sets a precedent for future research in the convergence of blockchain technology and cultural heritage preservation, promising a transformative impact on how digital cultural experiences are curated and consumed.

Enhancing User Experience in Virtual Museums: Impact of Finger Vibrotactile Feedback

Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive visual and auditory experiences, transporting users to alternate realities. However, existing VR systems lack realistic haptic feedback mechanisms, resulting in unsatisfactory immersive experiences. In this study, we developed and tested a haptic glove that simulates realistic tactile sensations, enhancing user interaction with virtual artifacts. Our research investigates the impact of finger-specific vibrotactile feedback (FSVF) on user experience in virtual museum environments. Using a mixed-methods approach, 30 participants engaged in object-manipulation tasks in three settings: no haptic feedback, standard controller feedback, and vibrotactile glove feedback. The findings demonstrate that the vibrotactile glove approach considerably improves user accuracy, efficiency, immersion, and satisfaction compared with other traditional interaction methods. Participants completed tasks more accurately and quickly with the glove, reporting high levels of engagement and immersion. The results highlight the potential of advanced haptic feedback in transforming virtual reality technology, particularly for educational and cultural applications. Further, they provide valuable insights for designing and applying future haptic technology in immersive environments.

Maiolica seen by Vis–NIR hyperspectral imaging spectroscopy: the application of an ultraportable camera at the Museo Nazionale del Bargello

An ultraportable hyperspectral camera operating in the Vis–NIR range (400–1000 nm) was used in this study for the non-invasive analysis of a selection of Italian maiolica wares and sherds from the Museo Nazionale del Bargello in Florence, Italy. The studied objects included authentic archaeological sherds, nineteenth-century forgeries, and ceramics of uncertain origin. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) spectroscopy combined with multivariate analysis for examining highly refractive and three-dimensional glazed ceramic artefacts within the constraints of a museum environment, including imperfect lighting conditions. Two data processing pipelines were tested: one based on principal component analysis (PCA) with score plots and the other on spectral angle mapper (SAM) classification obtained through the ENVI Spectral Hourglass Wizard (ENVI-SHW). The analyses enabled the discrimination between original parts and/or restored parts and additions. Among others, a complex assemblage of original sherds, restored parts, and non-ceramic parts was observed in a Renaissance pastiche vase. Furthermore, the method enabled the identification of the various chromophores providing clues on the artistic colour palette. In particular, the identification of chromium in the blue and green glazes of two objects of uncertain chronology suggested that they were not made before the nineteenth century. The acquisition of a larger and more detailed database of HSI data on maiolica glazes is strongly encouraged to improve the applicability of this method in authenticity, art-historical and archaeological studies.

The Museum Journey: Phenomenological Exploration of User Experience in the Bahrain National Museum

The design of museums has significantly evolved over the years, from simple exhibitions of artifacts to immersive andinteractive experiences. This paper explores the pivotal role of architectural phenomenology in shaping visitor’sexperience in museum design. We aim to achieve this goal by adopting a qualitative research approach of the BahrainNational Museum. The museum is an excellent example of how architectural phenomenology can cater to creating aspace that has meaning beyond its physical dimensions. By analyzing the museum's design elements, we identify keycontributors to the emotional and intellectual engagement of visitors with the museum environment. The findingsreveal that incorporating phenomenology principles has significantly elevated the overall design quality of the museumand provides visitors with a unique and immersive experience that highlights Bahrain's rich history and culturalheritage. Ultimately, this knowledge can inform future museum designers and professionals, leading to more effectiveand rewarding experiences for museum visitors.

Immersive Cross-Cultural Journeys: Enhancing Museum Experiences Through Mixed Reality

Mixed reality technology is employed to develop immersive experiences, enhancing visitor engagement within museum environments. There are challenges in interface design and sensory accuracy for such mixed-reality applications. This study explored integration of mixed reality technology in museums, emphasizing the enhancement of cross-cultural understanding and visitor engagement. Using advanced three-dimensional printing, significant artifacts from various cultures, including a notable Korean artifact from the Goryeo period, were replicated and digitized. These artifacts were the core of a mixed reality environment that was created using Unity and the MR Software Development Kit and experienced through a HoloLens 2 Head-Mounted Display. This immersive mixed reality experience, comprising three interactive segments, incorporated eye- and hand-tracking technologies to enable deeper engagement with cultural artifacts. The impact of mixed reality on visitor engagement and cross-cultural comprehension was evaluated, revealing a significant increase in visitor involvement and appreciation of cultural diversity. Notably, this study contributes to the evolving narrative of digital cultural heritage by highlighting the role of mixed reality in fostering a cross-cultural understanding and shaping future museum experiences.

Enhancing Spatial Cognition in Online Virtual Museum Environments: Integrating Game-Based Navigation Strategies for Improved User Experience

Online Virtual Museums (OVM) serve as vital conduits for the global propagation of cultural heritage but grapple with the challenge of user disorientation due to the absence of physical references. Leveraging the successful paradigm of game-based virtual navigation, this study investigates the potential integration of game mini-map navigation design elements into OVM to enhance spatial cognition. Through empirical investigation, a conceptual model was developed to probe the role of core mini-map design elements (interactivity, visual guidance, and information content) in augmenting spatial cognition. Results indicate that optimizing these elements significantly enhances user immersion and presence, thereby improving spatial cognition. Specifically, information content and visual guidance exerted stronger effects on immersion and presence, respectively. This research contributes a novel perspective on incorporating game design strategies into non-game virtual experiences, offering practical guidance for enhancing navigation in OVM and similar virtual environments. This bridges the gap between virtual museum navigation and game design, propelling the evolution of more dynamic, interactive, and user-centric virtual environments, thus fostering the preservation and dissemination of digital cultural heritage.

A prognostic and health management approach using colour fade to determine the condition of silk in a museum display environment

Silk is highly susceptible to fade, often resulting in colour loss to the fabric even when displayed in controlled museum environments. This study applies the engineering-inspired Prognostics and Health Management (PHM) approach to assess the remaining useful life (RUL) of silk fabric in a museum environment, focussing on predicting colour fade as an indicator of degradation. A novel mathematical model is developed to forecast cumulative colour fade of silk upholstery exhibited at the Great Gallery in The Wallace Collection, London. Unlike traditional accelerated aging methods, this model utilises naturally aged samples to estimate the rate of colour change over time. The main contribution of this work lies in the methodology and computational framework for model development using environmental data and conditions of silk in the museum environment. The proposed PHM methodology allows for continuous modifications of the colour fade model to improve accuracy by deploying new data from different silk collections and environments. The article demonstrates a model-based approach for informed decision making in museums regarding display and storage of silk upholstery.

Egocentric and Allocentric Spatial Memory for Body Parts: A Virtual Reality Study.

Extensive literature elucidated the mechanisms underlying the ability to memorize the positions of objects in space. However, less is known about the impact that objects' features have on spatial memory. The present study aims to investigate differences in egocentric and allocentric object-location memory between hand stimuli depicted in a first-person perspective (1PP) or in a third-person one (3PP). Fifty-two adults encoded spatial positions within a virtual museum environment featuring four square buildings. Each of these buildings featured eight paintings positioned along the walls, with two pictures displayed on each of the four walls. Thirty-two stimuli were employed, which represented pictures of the right hand performing various types of gestures. Half of the stimuli depicted the hand in the 1PP, while the other half depicted the hand in the 3PP. Both free and guided explorations served as encoding conditions. Immediately after that, participants underwent a two-step object-location memory task. Participants were provided with a map of the museum and asked to identify the correct building where the image was located (allocentric memory). Then, they were presented with a schematic representation of the exhibition room divided into four sections and instructed to select the section where they thought the picture was located (egocentric memory). Our findings indicate a memory performance boost associated with egocentric recall, regardless of the perspective of the bodily stimuli. The results are discussed considering the emerging literature on the mnemonic properties of body-related stimuli for spatial memory.