Museum Visitors Research Articles

CONTEXTUALISING THE CONTESTED: XR AS EXPERIMENTAL MUSEOLOGY

Museums are becoming increasingly multi-medial experiences and with the emergence of the metaverse (Coates, 2021), immersive technologies (XR) are projected to form an important part of future museum experiences. With options to provide a multiplicity of non-hierarchical information, support individualised paths through exhibitions, and experiential visits, XR has the potential to help keep visitors engaged around complex and nuanced information (Mulcahy, 2017). Working on devices that most museum visitors already own, XR technologies present a promising move towards more inclusivity, accessibility, and active audience engagement. Contributing to research on the multiple uses of XR in UK museums, this paper focuses on how XR can be operationalised to address contested displays in Western museums. Using an external app for the British Museum as an example, this paper discusses the challenges arising from this intersection, including the entrenchment of immersive technologies in colonial power dichotomies, the risks of performative virtual interventions, and the conflicting agencies museums, companies, and individuals must navigate in this context. The author suggests, as a possible experimental approach, wiki-based XR interactions which engage with non-Eurocentric epistemologies and are co-created by communities commonly disenfranchised in Western museum spaces.

CONTEXTUALISING THE CONTESTED: XR AS EXPERIMENTAL MUSEOLOGY

Museums are becoming increasingly multi-medial experiences and with the emergence of the metaverse (Coates, 2021), immersive technologies (XR) are projected to form an important part of future museum experiences. With options to provide a multiplicity of non-hierarchical information, support individualised paths through exhibitions, and experiential visits, XR has the potential to help keep visitors engaged around complex and nuanced information (Mulcahy, 2017). Working on devices that most museum visitors already own, XR technologies present a promising move towards more inclusivity, accessibility, and active audience engagement. Contributing to research on the multiple uses of XR in UK museums, this paper focuses on how XR can be operationalised to address contested displays in Western museums. Using an external app for the British Museum as an example, this paper discusses the challenges arising from this intersection, including the entrenchment of immersive technologies in colonial power dichotomies, the risks of performative virtual interventions, and the conflicting agencies museums, companies, and individuals must navigate in this context. The author suggests, as a possible experimental approach, wiki-based XR interactions which engage with non-Eurocentric epistemologies and are co-created by communities commonly disenfranchised in Western museum spaces.

Development of Data Labelling and Visualization Technologies for Cultural Heritage Intelligent Curation

This study aims to enable users of digitized cultural heritage artefacts to understand the correlation between artefacts and their context, discover new knowledge, and gain inspiration. We have developed data labelling and visualization technologies specific to cultural heritage so that users, such as curators, cultural heritage experts, and museum visitors, can easily and quickly access the information that they want through the correlation between artefacts. We came up with a web-based labelling tool for cultural heritage data and applied it to data on 45,692 artefacts from the National Museum of Korea. We also invented a web-based visualization tool that converts lists of attribute information in Excel spreadsheets into visualized content and edits the attributes. The meanings of thumbnails of visualized cultural heritage and that of connected lines, a search function, and visualized cultural heritage will allow users to quickly and easily access the cultural heritage information they are looking for.

Generation Z perspectives on museum sustainability using Q methodology

Museums and researchers require knowledge of how museums think about and practice sustainability to understand how sustainability considerations can further be incorporated and institutionalised into museum practice on four pillars: environmental, social, economic and cultural. A systematic literature review was carried out to explore the theoretical background of sustainable museums. This study, which used Q methodology, was designed to determine museum visitors’ preferences related to the most important sustainability elements of museums. The participants in the study were 24 museum visitors from Generation Z in Hungary. Data were collected through 37 Q statements. According to the findings of the research, young museum visitors can be distinguished into three groups (factors): Conscious, Experience-seeking, and Enthusiastic-to-learn visitors.

Useful Objects: Museums, Science, & Literature in Nineteenth-Century America

Useful Objects: Museums, Science, & Literature in Nineteenth-Century America

Vibration analysis on newly designed painting supports for the Cranach exhibition 2022 at Herzogin Anna Amalia Bibliothek

AbstractThe effect of vibration on the condition of sensitive works of art continues to be of great importance to museums. Vibrations contribute to irreversible changes in the complex materiality of art and cultural heritage. In cooperation with the Klassik Stiftung Weimar, the Institute of Engineering and Computational Mechanics at the University of Stuttgart accompanied an exhibition setup. The museum and partners designed free‐standing columns in the exhibition hall to support valuable works of art. Due to their original design, these are susceptible to vibrations. Thus, the question arises as to what extent these columns should be modified in order to reduce these vibrations. In this study, measurements were taken on the floor and on the columns using a variety of measuring techniques. It was investigated which excitations from the environment propagate to the artwork. It was confirmed that vibrations from the environment, such as road traffic and museum visitors in the exhibition room, are sources of excitation.Experimental modal analysis was used to identify the characteristic vibration behaviour of these columns. By using finite element methods, a simulation model was set up allowing to investigate modifications to the columns in order to predict the change in vibration behaviour. Based on the simulation modifications, structural changes were made to the system through stiffening of individual components and redistribution of masses.

“Knowledge” or “Progress?”: Do They Have to Be Mutually Exclusive?

“Knowledge” or “Progress?”: Do They Have to Be Mutually Exclusive?

Interactive description to enhance accessibility and experience of deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals in museums.

Text descriptions in museums provide detailed and rich information about artifacts that broadens museum visitors' knowledge and enriches their experience. However, since deaf and hard-of-hearing (DHH) individuals have low literacy compared to hearing people and communicate through sign language, museum descriptions are considerably limited in delivering a stimulating and informative environment for understanding and enjoying exhibits. To improve DHH individuals' museum experience, we investigated the potential of three interactive description prototypes: active-linked, graph-based, and chatbot-based. A comparative study with 20 DHH participants confirmed that our interaction-based prototypes improve information accessibility and provide an enhanced experience compared to conventional museum descriptions. Most participants preferred the graph-based prototype, while post-interviews suggested that each prototype has potential benefits and limitations according to DHH individuals' particular literacy skills and preferences. Text descriptions can be enlivened for DHH visitors by adding a simple interaction functionality, e.g., clicking, which can lead to a better museum experience.

Visiting museums via augmented reality: an experience fast-tracking the digital transformation of the tourism industry

PurposeAugmented reality (AR) is an emergent technology that has been impacting and beneficial to various industries. This is especially the case in the tourism industry since the COVID-19 crisis. To enable and enhance the museum experience, AR technology can be used as a tool to manage visitors' experiences and adapt to the digital transformation of industries. This research work aims to explore the acceptance of museum visitors for the adoption of this technology. For this purpose, the technology acceptance model (TAM) is used as the research lens.Design/methodology/approachThe authors collected 316 responses from a survey handed out to prior visitors of immersive exhibitions shown via AR at the Atelier des Lumières in Paris and analyzed them through a structural equation model approach.FindingsThe study’s findings explain the behavior of visitors when attending immersive exhibitions according to the TAM and highlight two new constructs that need to be considered when using the TAM with AR technology: user satisfaction and social mimetism.Originality/valueThe study’s findings support that implementing AR technology in the museum industry provides great opportunities for the tourism industry to recover from the economic crisis that followed from the COVID-19 health crisis. The authors identified new thriving concepts in the 21st century with the rise of social media, such as social mimetism, that propels visitors to have a positive attitude and intention to attend immersive exhibitions.

The Influence of Demographic Factors on Word Usage in Texts Written About Artworks

Research on text analysis has demonstrated that texts can reveal various characteristics of individuals, such as personality, preferences, or future behavior. However, despite its numerous applications in other fields, text analysis has received very little attention in the field of empirical aesthetics. This study aimed to analyze texts written about artworks and examine the relationship between certain demographic factors and the use of words, using a novel framework for computer-based text analysis based on neural embedding. Participants provided textual descriptions of paintings from various genres and eras, along with demographic information such as gender, age, income, frequency of museum visits, and knowledge of artworks. The results revealed a significant relationship between some demographic factors and word usage, while also highlighting the usefulness of the proposed framework.

Gleaning museum visitors’ behaviors by analyzing questions asked in a mobile app

Gleaning museum visitors’ behaviors by analyzing questions asked in a mobile app

Digitalisasi Museum Cakraningrat sebagai Sumber Literasi Edukasi pada Siswa Di Era Disrupsi 5.0

Museums are a source of knowledge and literacy for their visitors. However, so far, museum visitors only stop by and don't discuss comprehensive data related to objects seen by visitors. Others create interest in museums by digitizing the objects in them. So this research is a preliminary study before developing barcodes. This research is a preliminary study prior to the development of learning media for literary language and its barcode-based teaching for reading skills to facilitate the learning process in museums and educate local knowledge about relics that are full of information and knowledge. Understanding the contents of the object description utilizes barcode-based technology. The development design used is Research and Development Borg and Gall. There are seven research stages: problems, information collection, product design, product testing, design revision, design validation, and product revision. The barcode application developed can be used on Android phones or the like by utilizing barcodes, while its development is on the use of technology in objects in museums in Cakraningrat Bangkalan Madura of Ajhar Museum. Keywords: Museum, learning resources, reading literacy, barcode application.

The effect of immersive experience, user engagement and perceived authenticity on place satisfaction in the context of augmented reality

PurposeThis study aims to measure the effect of augmented reality (AR) on immersive experiences, place satisfaction, user engagement and perceived authenticity.Design/methodology/approachThe population of the research consists of museum visitors visiting the Sakip Sabanci Museum in Turkey, which provides an interactive experience to the audience using AR technology via iPads. The data were collected both online and offline. The research was carried out with 397 questionnaire forms. The hypotheses were tested through smart partial least squares (PLS) 3.FindingsImmersive experience positively affects place satisfaction, user engagement and perceived authenticity. It was also concluded that user engagement and perceived authenticity mediated the relationship between immersive experience and place satisfaction.Research limitations/implicationsThe entire universe could not be reached, as the study had limitations in terms of time, cost, accessibility and control difficulties. Therefore, the study was carried out with 397 visitors who visited the Sakip Sabanci Museum (SSM) in Turkey and used AR technology.Practical implicationsThe study emphasized the importance of AR in cultural tourism. The interactions of museum visitors with AR can be greatly enhanced by immersive experiences. Expanding AR to provide different experiences can increase the number of visitors.Originality/valueAlthough there are recent studies on AR, it seems insufficient to investigate and empirically examine this subject in the context of museums. No studies conducted in Turkey have investigated the current topic of this study. Conducting this research in Turkey with the proposed research model will make the topic easier to understand, proving the study's originality.

Manufacturing of ceramic venus figurine replica from a mold by combining traditional and digital technologies

In this paper, we propose a method for creating a ceramic Venus figurine replica from a mold in the Museum of Ceramic Techniques collection in Koło, Poland stored at the museum for many years. Moreover, none of the Venus figurines in this collection have been preserved to the present day. Our process starts with partially degraded mold fragments and ends with an actual copy of the Venus figurine in three forms: faience kilned to bisque, porcelain, and glazed faience. The entire process involves understanding old manufacturing technology, conservation supervision, and state-of-the-art 3D scanning, data processing, and 3D printing technologies. We began with a preservation state evaluation that included a technical analysis of the degradation state of the mold. Then, we applied 3D scanning technology using the structured light method. Later, we integrated all mold fragments into front and back 3D models. These 3D models were optimized for 3D printing technology and were used to manufacture the mold. Finally, the printed fragments were corrected using traditional techniques performed by art conservators. This process took comparatively less time and produced a more realistic result than would have been observed if only 3D software had been used. This process also enabled us to create educational materials for the Koło museum about old manufacturing technologies. From the point of view of museum visitors, the copies are made with sufficient detail that they are indistinguishable from handmade artifacts. Our estimates show that combining both techniques (traditional and digital) saved approximately 25% of the time that would have been used if the individual techniques had been used separately. We also believe that our use case could be transferred to a broader group of objects that use molding in their production processes.

Preschoolers’ memory recall of new information: relation to parental reminiscing

ABSTRACT The influence of parental reminiscing style (the way parents discuss past events with their children) on the development of children’s autobiographical memory has been well documented. The specific mechanisms involved in this effect, however, remain unknown. We explored the association between specific components of parental reminiscing and preschoolers’ episodic memory. Fifty-three parent–child dyads (M Child Age = 53.13 months, 29 females) from Belgium were tested twice within a delay of about nine months. At the first time point, parental reminiscing style was assessed via a parent–child discussion of a prior standardised event (a museum visit) focusing on both the structure of parental interactions and the addressed content. At each time point, children were administered with story–recall tasks in the form of true–false recognition about previously heard stories. Generalised linear mixed-effect models were conducted on an item-by-item basis. Results indicated that parental reminiscing is associated with preschoolers’ recognition memory performance at both time points, but not all reminiscing components equally influence children’s performance. Specifically, parents’ concretisations and metamemory talk were found to impact children’s memory. The identification of these components provided insights for exploring the processes underlying the reminiscing–memory influence (in-depth encoding of information, binding processes, and metacognition).

Curating the collider: using place to engage museum visitors with particle physics

Curating the collider: using place to engage museum visitors with particle physics

침묵의 소리: 박물관ㆍ미술관을 가지 않는 20대 비관람자 연구

침묵의 소리: 박물관ㆍ미술관을 가지 않는 20대 비관람자 연구

Openness to experience and museum visits: Intellectual curiosity, aesthetic sensitivity, and creative imagination predict the frequency of visits to different types of museums

Museum visits have the potential to fascinate and inspire. Openness to experience is known to be related to people’s preferences regarding cultural activities such as visits to different types of museums. This study investigated how facets of openness to experience are related to the frequency of visits to different types of museums in a large sample of 4,541 museum visitors. Modeling facets of openness using the bifactor S − 1 model, we found that aesthetic sensitivity, intellectual curiosity, and creative imagination had differential associations with the frequency of visits to different types of museums. Our findings contribute to the understanding of how people behave in everyday environments and link personality to real-world behavior, highlighting the importance of personality facets.

Historians in the Museum

In the last two decades Poland has experienced a museum boom. The numbers of new, or significantly remade museums, has grown rapidly, along with the growing numbers of museum visitors. Before the pandemic, Polish museums recorded more than thirty-eight million visits a year, a number equal to the size of Poland’s population. Among the most popular, with more than five-hundred thousand visits annually, were newly opened history museums, offering a new, narrative type of exhibition and museum experience. Museums like Warsaw’s Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the European Solidarity Center in Gdańsk have also attracted international attention of museologists and media, earning enthusiastic reviews and major European museum awards. In recent years, however, they became objects of harsh criticism and pressure by politicians of the ruling Prawo i Sprawiedliwość Party (PiS). In this conversation, four Polish historians with substantial museological experience—three museum directors (present or former) and a museologist—talk about museums as institutions to practice history; they discuss what academic historians can learn working at museums, and they dwell on the challenges resulting from the success of museums as vehicles of public history. Piotr Cywiński is by instruction a medieval historian, who for several years has been the director of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Museum. Paweł Machcewicz and Dariusz Stola are historians of the twentieth century, currently professors at the Polish Academy of Sciences: Machcewicz was the founding director of the Museum of the Second World War in Gdańsk, and Stola was the director of the Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews. Anna Ziębińska-Witek is a historian and museologist, and she has written extensively on Polish and Eastern European museum exhibitions of twentieth-century history. They met online to react to questions posed by Timothy Snyder, who has written extensively on the history of Poland and Eastern Europe; Snyder has also served on the academic council of the Museum of the Second World War. Stola has edited and translated, from Polish to English, the record of their conversation.

Identifying Barriers to Accessibility for Museum Visitors Who Are Blind and Visually Impaired

For people with visual impairment, environmental features create barriers to inclusion and participation in public places such as museums. This study gathered direct feedback on accessibility from people with visual impairment to inform a major renovation at the Grand Rapids Public Museum. This study used a participatory action research design. Data collection included a guided walk and semi-structured interviews. A descriptive numerical summary and qualitative thematic analysis were used to summarize the results. Twelve participants were assigned to three categories of visual impairment: low vision, legally blind, and totally blind. The primary barriers to accessibility included inaccessible signage, lack of multi-sensory information, and staff training. Suggestions for improving accessibility include adding assistive technology and increased staff involvement. Identifying barriers to accessibility requires involving people with visual impairment in the decision making process. Understanding the unique needs of people with visual impairment will promote inclusion and participation in museum settings.