Interpreting with Sound. The House Museum as a “Reactivated” Site of Memory in the Digital Age

Abstract

Thanks to the development of digital technology, sound has been one of the most valuable contributors to the reactivation of memories in the space of museums. This article mainly focuses on sound design, sonic strategies with digital means and the relationship between sound and memory in European house museums through the lens of exhibition design. The research stated that it became apparent that many museums offer a multi-dimensional sound or musical experience, encouraging visitors to concentrate on the aspects that most deeply resonate with their interests, stories and memories. The foundations of academic literature, case studies, and an analytical tool called Exhibition Sound Score/Partitura sonoro-allestitiva support us in generating a unique typology framework that divides the sonic strategies into three distinct attitudes: the hidden sound, the diffuse sound, and the interactive sound. It analyses how house museums deploy sound elements in an effective way through different aspects, including contents, exhibit artefacts, sound equipment, interaction, the typology of cultural assets shown, and strategy, and identifies innovative sonic strategies that embrace new rituals, enhance omnichannel narratives and achieve immersive engagement.

Keywords

• sound
• memory
• house museum
• design
• exhibition