Pad (Jun 2023)
Bodies of Knowledge. Experiencing the Archive: A Case Study to Re-Activate Memory through Digital Interaction
Abstract
From the early 2000s, archives and cultural institutions have been confronted with the repercussions of an unprecedented digital revolution. Web 2.0 technologies have accelerated management and organisational processes that were already in place, enabling the digitisation of huge amounts of data. A process that has undoubtedly facilitated the preservation and use of these materials, but which has nevertheless brought to light new problems. These include the oblivion and non-use of digitised materials, which often remain unknown and unnecessarily processed if not supported by promotion and enhancement policies. Furthermore, new digital ways of engaging visitors are challenging traditional models of power and negotiation of meaning, but cultural institutions are not always ready to respond and support such practices effectively. The paper presents the case study of a smart interactive environment created in 2019 for the Temporary Slovene Dance Archive of the Metelkova Museum of Contemporary Art in Ljubljana. Through this work I critically discuss the role of design in respect to actions of retrieval and reinterpretation of digital heritage beyond the simple search of metadata on digital platforms. In addition the project proposes a physical experience to stimulate public use and understanding of archives.
