Multisensory Museums: Richer Experiences, Inclusivity and Accessibility to Cultural Heritage

A special issue of Heritage (ISSN 2571-9408).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2024 | Viewed by 5586

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
National Research Council, Institute of Heritage Science (CNR-ISPC), 00015 Rome, Italy
Interests: virtual museums; digital technologies for museums; virtual reality; 3D modelling; virtual reconstruction; interaction design; storytelling; hybridization of media (virtual reality, theatrical and cinematographic language, augmented reality, video games, holography); soundscape

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Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Studi Storici, Università degli Studi di Torino, Palazzo Nuovo, Via S. Ottavio 20, Turin, Italy
Interests: museums; GLAMS; digital library; knowledge information; accessibility; artificial intelligence; well-being

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Despite the great contributions that multimedia, virtual reality, and mixed reality can offer to the museum sector, the collections on display (especially archaeological and art historical ones) are often still limited by a lack of legibility, contextualization, and sensory immersion. Stories that can instead foster a deeper understanding of a given topic and build a bridge between past and present are necessary.

Embodiment, emotional involvement, and multisensoriality are essential elements in the creation of an “experience” and in learning processes. The convergence of different paradigms and languages in museums, from virtual and mixed reality to multimedia, can help to convey cultural content in an engaging and inclusive way while respecting the need for scientific validity.

Digital and multisensory methods can also facilitate accessibility to cultural heritage by creating multiple levels of interaction and experiential channels. Factors determining the museum experience include the following: the comprehensibility and credibility of stories; communicative rhythm; coherence between word, image, and sound in the narration; quality of the content; the usability of technologies and interfaces; balance between free interaction and guided tours; the duration of narrative units and their dissemination along the visitor’s path; sound; and the quality of content solutions that encourage both intimate reflection and dynamics of social exchange. Thus, physical and virtual fruition become part of the same knowledge-acquiring process.

Dr. Eva Pietroni
Dr. Anna Maria Marras
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • cultural heritage
  • museums
  • multisensory experience
  • mixed reality
  • hybrid reality
  • accessibility
  • learning process
  • cultural transmission
  • storytelling
  • interaction

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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19 pages, 62151 KiB  
Article
Creative Environmental Exhibition: Revealing Insights through Multi-Sensory Museum Experiences and Vignette Analysis for Enhanced Audience Engagement
by Fiona Carroll, Jon Pigott, Aidan Taylor, Simon Thorne and Joel Pinney
Heritage 2024, 7(1), 76-94; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7010003 - 21 Dec 2023
Viewed by 2261
Abstract
In an era where an increasing number of people find it challenging to grasp scientifically accurate environmental data, the need for more engaging museum exhibits to convey this information has never been more crucial. This article discusses Daptec Flat Holm which is a [...] Read more.
In an era where an increasing number of people find it challenging to grasp scientifically accurate environmental data, the need for more engaging museum exhibits to convey this information has never been more crucial. This article discusses Daptec Flat Holm which is a data physicalisation technology project on Flat Holm Island, Wales. Flat Holm Island is designated as a site of special scientific interest and is a local nature reserve. This project aims to understand how we might improve people’s engagement with environmental data through a multi-sensory museum exhibit. To achieve this, the project team applied a new creative approach to make the presentation of environmental data more engaging to a diverse science museum audience. Employing a user-centered methodology, this study reveals insights derived from three distinct user experience investigations conducted during the summer of 2022. The main contribution lies in how the researchers have extracted the nuances from the audience reactions and then identified potential audience types, their points of engagement, as well as their challenges. In detail, the findings illustrate how the application of a vignette data analysis technique revealed distinct audience types, including passive observers, active users, engaged ambassadors, disinterested participants, critical friends, and enthusiastic collaborators. In summary, the paper offers recommendations into how we might further engage a broader audience in technology mediated environmental museum exhibitions. Full article
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Review

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24 pages, 531 KiB  
Review
Museums for Older Adults and Mobility-Impaired People: Applying Inclusive Design Principles and Digital Storytelling Guidelines—A Review
by Kittichai Kasemsarn, Antika Sawadsri, David Harrison and Farnaz Nickpour
Heritage 2024, 7(4), 1893-1916; https://doi.org/10.3390/heritage7040090 - 24 Mar 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2179
Abstract
The research problems addressed in this article pertain to the limited understanding and insufficient availability of digital storytelling guidelines for elderly and physically impaired individuals in museum presentations. The objective of this review is to explore digital storytelling guidelines along with the latest [...] Read more.
The research problems addressed in this article pertain to the limited understanding and insufficient availability of digital storytelling guidelines for elderly and physically impaired individuals in museum presentations. The objective of this review is to explore digital storytelling guidelines along with the latest technology in museums catering to older adults and those with mobility impairments. This literature review included databases such as Scopus, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar, covering the period from 2000 to 2023. Researchers comprehensively examined and employed content analysis to categorize all papers into three primary themes: (1) inclusive design for museum presentations; (2) trends in technology for digital storytelling in museum presentations; (3) guidelines for digital storytelling in museum presentations. This review article could enhance understanding and promote diversity, accessibility, and motivation among two specific groups of museum visitors, both onsite and online. Full article
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