Thirteenth International Conference on The Inclusive Museum

Abstract

Places have power. Spaces have souls. As digital dominates, more and more people are turning away from their screens and the ephemeral in search of impactful, first-person experiences that promise a real connection with the authentic, the tactile, and the enduring. Historical urban landscapes are uniquely positioned to respond to this thirst for connection outside of a digitized existence. Given their privileged location in high-density, accessible areas, not to mention their easily-recognizable, Instagram-able cachet, urban icons like Eifel Tower in Paris or the Forbidden City Beijing receive the bulk of culture and thrill-seekers, locals and tourists alike. However, the expectations of local audiences versus those of visiting tourists vary wildly and often conflict, resulting in visitor experiences that tend serve one kind of visitor at the sacrifice of the other. In this session, an interpreter of historic spaces and exhibit designer discuss their collaborative process for creating impactful visitor experiences at some of the world’s most popular urban icons, including the London Underground, New York’s National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and the Empire State Building. They address the challenge of designing for locals and visiting tourists, and invite workshop attendees to consider strategies for balancing local pride and nostalgia with outsiders’ perceptions. Presenters Helen Divjak (Interpretive Planner) and Jorge Martinez (Head of Design) work at the award-winning exhibit design firm, Thinc Design, in New York City, USA.