Imagineering archaeology: reworking digital media in museums
Channel: Recording Archaeology
Date: 2021-02-25

Misconceptions surrounding digital media in archaeological museums are numerous: they are believed to be new, inclusive means to engage a wide public (even though many openly criticize digital toys, and some cannot easily get into digital and virtual setting), they are seen as perfect means to aestheticize the gray and banal reality of archaeological objects (even if they mostly aestheticize the image of the past with fancy-designed gadgets), and they are supposed to support, explain or reconstruct real artifacts and sites (even if they have become exhibits themselves).These multiple fallacies may be the result of the techno-optimism or even techno-fetishism visible in museums all over the world. In my presentation, I would like to discuss, why fallacies took over the digital media in museums, and at the same time I offer a way to overcome this impasse. My hypothesis is based on the assumption, that there is no strong theoretical foundation for digital media on archaeological exhibitions, thus their application often ends with superficial meaning, blunt slogans, or simply a technological showcase. I believe that digital media and technologies have much to offer to museums and can be used to create meanings and inspire our imagination, only while grounded on a coherent vision. To illustrate this I will discuss the technique of imagineering in archaeological museums; a conceptual and theoretical framework inspired by technology studies, medical and bio-humanities and design studies. Imagineering will be a way to understand museum’s digital media as a means to simulate visitors’ imagination.

MONIKA STOBIECKA, UNIVERSITY OF WARSAW