Search Results (137)

Traditional villages (TVs) and intangible cultural heritage (ICH) serve as dual carriers for the living transmission of agrarian civilization, with their spatial compatibility being crucial for the sustainable development of cultural ecosystems. Existing research shows deficiencies in quantitative analysis, multidimensional driving mechanism interpretation, and spatial heterogeneity identification. This study establishes a three-phase framework (“spatial pattern identification–spatial relationship analysis–impact mechanism assessment”) using nationwide data encompassing 8155 TVs and 3587 ICH elements. Through the comprehensive application of the spatial mismatch index, Optimal-Parameter Geographic Detector (OPGD), and multiscale geographically weighted regression (MGWR) model, we systematically reveal their spatial differentiation patterns and driving mechanisms. Key findings: First, TVs exhibit a “three-primary-core and two-secondary-core” strong agglomeration pattern, while ICH shows multi-center balanced distribution. Significant positive spatial correlation coexists with prevalent mismatch: 65% of China’s territory displays positive mismatch (ICH dominance) and 35% displays negative mismatch (TV dominance). Second, the spatial mismatch mechanism follows a “weakened natural foundation with dual drivers of socio-economic dynamics and cultural policy momentum”, where the GDP, tertiary industry ratio, general public budget expenditure, number of ICH inheritors, museums, and key cultural relic protection units emerge as dominant factors. Third, core drivers demonstrate significant spatial heterogeneity, with economic factors showing differentiated regulation while cultural policy elements exhibit distinct regional dependency. The proposed “economy–culture” dual governance approach, featuring cross-scale analysis methods and three-dimensional indicator system innovation, holds practical value for optimizing cultural heritage spatial governance paradigms. Full article

Background: The Museum for Anatomy and Pathology at the Radboud University (The Netherlands) has created a permanent teratological exhibition, which is enhanced with augmented reality (AR) modalities. This exhibition serves various (post)graduate educational purposes and is open to the general public. However, data on visitors’ views and experiences regarding the teratological collection and AR models are currently lacking. Methods: To address this, a qualitative study was conducted to explore visitors’ opinions and experiences. One-on-one in-depth interviews were conducted using a predefined topic list, with audio recordings transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was applied to the twenty-six interview transcripts. Results: The findings indicate that publicly displaying teratological specimens alongside AR modalities is valued and positively received by both (bio)medical students and laypeople alike. AR enhances understanding of dysmorphology and provides a more interactive and engaging learning experience for complex topics. Conclusion: The use of AR within a teratological exposition holds tremendous educational potential and improves public awareness and acceptance of developmental anomalies. Moreover, it provides a unique opportunity to reflect on both historical and contemporary bioethical issues. Full article

Extended-reality (XR) tools are increasingly used to revitalise museum experiences, but typical head-mounted or smartphone solutions tend to fragment audiences and suppress the social dialogue that makes cultural heritage memorable. This article addresses that gap on two fronts. First, it proposes a four-phase design methodology—spanning artifact selection, narrative framing, tangible-interface fabrication, spatial installation, software integration, validation, and deployment—that helps curators, designers, and technologists to co-create XR exhibitions in which co-presence, embodied action, and multisensory cues are treated as primary design goals rather than afterthoughts. Second, the paper reports LanternXR, a proof-of-concept built with the methodology: visitors share a 3D-printed replica of the fourteenth-century Virgin of Boixadors while wielding a tracked “camera” and a candle-like lantern that lets them illuminate, photograph, and annotate the sculpture inside a life-sized Gothic nave rendered on large 4K displays with spatial audio and responsive lighting. To validate the approach, the article presents an analytical synthesis of feedback from curators, museologists, and XR technologists, underscoring the system’s capacity to foster collaboration, deepen engagement, and broaden accessibility. The findings show how XR can move museum audiences from isolated immersion to collective, multisensory exploration. Full article

Most museum collections are not displayed since they are held in storage, out of visitors’ reach. However, little is known about the size of stored collections, how they are used, and to what extent museums enhance their accessibility in New Zealand museums. This study aims to provide an overview of the size of stored collections, the strategies adopted by museums, and how these solutions impact the accessibility of stored collections in museums in New Zealand. Data were gathered through a survey sent to the New Zealand office of ICOM and direct invitations to museums between December 2020 and January 2021. Respondents represented different museums’ legal statuses, sizes, and collections. The results show that 84% of collections are held in storage. Strategies such as the rotation of items enabled museums to use 28% of stored collections. In comparison, 18% of stored items were used through loans and 17% through exchanges, making them accessible to everyone. Specifically, it was found that the most effective strategies in terms of accessibility are visible storage, with 55% usability of stored collections, and the digitisation of collections, with 41%. These findings indicate that factors such as different legal statuses of museums, sizes, and types of collections, might impact the use of stored collections. Full article

Artistic masterpieces are mostly collected in museums located in the center of urban areas, which are prone to heavy traffic. Traffic-induced vibrations can represent a significant hazard for museum objects, due to the repeated nature of the excitation and the brittle, pre-damaged condition of the artifacts. This is the case of the Sarcophagus of the Spouses, displayed at the National Etruscan Museum of Villa Giulia in Rome. Vibrations on the floor of the room are measured by means of velocimeters, highlighting substantial vertical amplitudes and recommending the design of an isolation system. For its design, the dynamic identification of the statue is essential, but the use of contact or laser sensors is ruled out. Therefore, a recent technique that magnifies the micromovements present in digital videos is used and the procedure is validated with respect to constructions where the dynamic identification was available in the literature. In the case of the Sarcophagus, identified frequencies are satisfactorily compared with those of a finite element model. The recognition of the dynamic characteristics shows the method’s potential while using inexpensive devices. Because costs for cultural heritage protection are usually very high, this simple and contactless dynamic identification technique represents an important step forward. Full article

As a cultural tourism destination, museums offer opportunities for educational and exploratory experiences to all individuals. This aligns with the universal design, a concept including seven principles aimed at ensuring that everyone can equally enjoy visiting museums, facilities, and services. This paper aims to develop a framework for assessing the impact of digital media interaction on the museum exhibition environment and on visitor behavior, employing universal design principles to enhance the efficiency of museum visits. Five museums, each representing different styles, were chosen as case studies from the newly constructed cultural tourism museums in China to achieve this research objective. Qualitative and quantitative data provide a detailed picture of each exhibition hall from the perspective of visitors and demonstrate the advantages of using the 7UD evaluation framework. The results of the environmental measurements demonstrate how the display environments of the five museums are constructed in different ways. The issues identified include the lack of specific guiding information or poor location of the digital media within the exhibition environment, obstacles in the main communication spaces, and overcrowding, which reduces the efficiency of visits. The results, based on the 7UD evaluation checklist, indicated that the environment, when combined with the digital media, which has more problems and barriers, and corresponds to lower 7UD scoring rates. The evaluation framework based on 7UD captures the visitors’ interactive behaviors with exhibits through detailed indicators and meticulous data collection. These findings identify issues and visiting obstacles present in the museum exhibition environment influenced by digital media and confirm that the seven principles of Universal Design can be applied to the hypothesized problems to find potential solutions. The results directly support the further development of the exhibition design. Full article

In the context of managing museums, historical, artistic, and archaeological heritage, an advanced decision support system (DSS) can serve as the engine for a business game platform, optimizing decision paths and management strategies. In complex, multi-parameter scenarios, the final decision is often only part of the process; it is equally essential to follow the decision-making path, that is, the sequence of actions necessary to reach the objective. The DSS presented here simplifies the problem by transforming the initial n-dimensional space, defined by the critical success factors (CSFs) selected by experts, into a two-dimensional space. Indeed, thanks to this approach, the computational complexity is reduced to the point that the technological solution can be used even on standard desktop computers and not only on high-performance computing systems. Moreover, the user does not necessarily need to be an IT expert but rather a specialist in the cultural domain. Through grid-based motion algorithms and a hierarchy of CSF priorities, the system quickly identifies optimal solutions in the 2D plane and then maps them back to the n-dimensional space to maintain consistency with the original context. Since the correspondence between n-dimensional micro-states and two-dimensional macro-states is not one-to-one, the DSS returns the specific micro-state of interest from the optimal macro-state, selecting the most effective path. This research aims to develop algorithms that by minimizing entropy and optimizing the system’s dynamics, build optimal paths in the 2D plane, with algorithms capable of restoring the solution in the initial space. Several use cases in the form of business games have been conducted, demonstrating the value of the proposed solution. The result of this work is a simulation environment useful for museum experts to analyze the impact of their management strategies. Thanks to the ability to assign weights to each of the critical success factors (CSFs), the system can display both qualitative and quantitative simulations of museum dynamics as the weights associated with different CSFs vary. Given the system’s generality, it is applicable to various fields where complex business games are required, such as cultural heritage management, logistics, transportation, healthcare systems, and, more broadly, any context where strategic business analysis is needed for the economic enhancement of resources and their optimization. Full article

Currently, heritage sites, such as museums, have focused on the preservation and conservation of heritage elements for present and future generations. However, when displaying their content, they often do not consider different types of visitors, their preferences regarding the type and format of content, their interests, or their information needs (the same content is always presented). All of this can reduce the number of visits and the motivation of visitors. To address this issue, Motiv-ARCHE was developed as an application designed to enhance motivation in learning about cultural and natural heritage using augmented reality (AR). Motiv-ARCHE was implemented using the design-based research (DBR) methodology, an iterative approach that allows user feedback. In this article, we concentrate on presenting an experiment conducted at the Santa Clara Museum (Bogotá) in which a group of 44 participants used Motiv-ARCHE to access content associated with 10 cultural heritage elements that had been previously co-created with heritage experts from the museum itself. To evaluate the experiment, motivation and technology acceptance tests were applied, along with a demographic questionnaire, to statistically analyze whether the examined variables influence motivation for learning about cultural and natural heritage. Among the results, it is noteworthy that users with greater knowledge of AR, cultural and natural heritage, and a higher frequency of using this type of application felt more motivated to learn about heritage elements. Full article

This paper presents a case study from the Archaeological and Via Flaminia Museum in Cagli (Italy), developed within the ERASMUS+ Next-Museum project, which explores inclusive approaches through the digital transformation of small museums and their connection to the surrounding territory. A key goal was to “return” bronze statuettes to the museum, symbolically compensating the community for their absence. The initiative integrates accessibility and multisensory storytelling following “Design for All” principles. Three installations were implemented: tactile replicas of the statuettes produced through 3D printing, a sensorized table for interactive storytelling, and a story map displayed on a touchscreen for exploring local archaeological heritage. The design prioritized inclusivity, particularly for visitors with visual impairments, while addressing practical constraints such as the need for a mobile and flexible setup within a limited budget. Verification and validation tests were conducted with visually impaired participants during the pre-opening phase, and the installations were later evaluated using the User Experience Questionnaire, complemented by qualitative feedback. These evaluations highlight the potential of phygital experiences to foster engagement with cultural heritage while addressing technological and design challenges. Full article

The Guanyin/Madonna and Child painting, housed in the British Museum, exemplifies a distinct amalgamation of Catholic and Buddhist elements. This academic study explores the religious syncretism within this artwork, set against the backdrop of Sino-Western cultural dynamics. By integrating socio-religious analysis with iconographic methods, this research highlighted the interplay between the two religious traditions and the broader trends of cultural adaptation and religious amalgamation. It was proposed that the painting, on display at the British Museum, reflects not only the European depiction of the Madonna of Humility but also the Jesuit missionary influence and the clandestine religious practices of Chinese Christians during periods of persecution. This investigation provided new perspectives on the nuances of religious syncretism and the evolution of religious imagery within the contexts of cultural exchanges and missionary initiatives, augmenting scholarly discussions on the dynamics between religious beliefs and societal frameworks. Full article

The Specola Museum is housed on the premises of the old Palermo Observatory, founded in 1790, and preserves most of the observatory’s cultural heritage. Environmental monitoring following the activation of air conditioning systems in 2018 revealed significant deviations from the historic thermo-hygrometric trends, with particularly dangerous fluctuations in relative humidity. A notable example of the impact of these changes is a 19th-century painted wooden Model of Mars, displayed in the Merz Hall since 2021. In less than two years, the Model has shown progressive damage to its paint layers. Conservation actions have been adopted to stop the deterioration process, but the risk of further deterioration phenomena involving other objects is expected to increase substantially in the absence of intervention. This paper presents the outcomes of a preliminary study on the thermo-hygrometric conditions in the Merz Hall. Based on the European Standard EN 15757: 2010 and the Italian Legislative decree of 10 May 2001, safe ranges for temperature and relative humidity have been identified for the long-term preservation of the collection. These findings will inform future climate management strategies in the museum. Full article

As older adults age, changes in their physiological, psychological, and cognitive functions often lead to inherent anxiety and fear regarding the use of digital technologies. Cognitive age, reflecting an older adult’s mental perception of their chronological age, is a crucial moderating factor in shaping their willingness and behavior towards technology adoption. However, the mechanisms through which cognitive age impacts the behavior of older adults within the realm of digital technology utilization remain unclear. Thus, grounded in the Extended Technology Acceptance Model (ETAM) and employing structural equation modeling, this study intends to investigate mechanisms which influence older adults’ behavioral intentions towards the use of museum digital displays. Consequently, it confirms that attitudes mediate the correlation between perceived usefulness, subjective norm, perceived self-efficacy, and the behavioral intention towards museum digital display utilization. Perceived ease of use does not directly affect attitudes, but instead exerts an indirect impact on attitude through perceived usefulness. Cognitive age negatively moderates the relationship between attitudes and the behavioral intention to use digital technologies. Additionally, the mediating role of attitudes in the correlation between older adults’ perception of museum digital displays and behavioral intention is moderated by cognitive age. Specifically, older adults with a higher cognitive age value (who perceive themselves to be younger than their chronological age) exhibit a weaker mediating effect of attitudes on the relationship between perceived usefulness and behavioral intention compared to those with a lower cognitive age value (who perceive themselves to be older than their chronological age). The findings seek to unbox the “black box” of how cognitive age mediates the correlation between attitudes and behavioral intention towards the use of museum digital displays among older adults, providing valuable theoretical insights for the bidirectional enhancement of digital technology utilization, the overall well-being of older adults, and high-quality development in museums. Full article

Museum fatigue refers to the physical and psychological fatigue that visitors experience when visiting exhibitions due to information overload, dense display, or monotonous space design. This study takes Mawangdui Han Tomb as an example, draws on Lefebvre’s spatial triad theory, and realizes the transformation of cultural connotation from tomb space into museum space by analyzing perceived space, conceived space, and lived space. This transformation process also proposes a spatial design narrative strategy for this study to solve the problem of museum fatigue. This qualitative study uses ethnography to understand the Taoist and ritual-influenced tomb culture of the Mawangdui Han Tombs, followed by a phenomenological analysis of the museum (lived space). The research results show that a reasonable spatial layout, coherent narrative clues, and a multi-sensory interactive experience significantly improve audience concentration and reduce fatigue. This study provides practical design suggestions for future historical and cultural exhibitions. Full article

Exhibition design in museum space is of great significance in enhancing cultural attraction, visitor experience, and heritage conservation. With the growth of spiritual and cultural needs, the construction of museums has increased, but the quality of exhibitions has been improved to a limited extent. In order to explore visitors’ perceptual experience in terms of display forms, this paper combines eye-tracking technology and subjective evaluation to select three display forms, namely, stand-alone display form, combined picture and object form, and combined 3D object and physical form, for the research. Combining field research, eye-tracking experiments, and subjective questionnaire evaluations, this study explores the relationship between visual perception and emotional experience in different display formats. The results showed that (1) the effects of different display formats differed between visual perception and emotional experience, and (2) there is some correlation between visual perception and emotional experience. Specifically, the number of fixations sessions was negatively correlated with fun, richness, comfort, and attractiveness and positively correlated with authenticity, while the average fixation time was positively correlated with the former and negatively correlated with authenticity. Combining the two dimensions, the study concluded that visitors’ experience satisfaction and preference are high in response to the form combining 3D objects and physical objects; the exhibition form of combining pictures and physical objects produces a higher degree of cognition in a short period of time; and the stand-alone display form has the lowest degree of preference, with poor information retention among visitors. It is hoped that this study will provide some reference for the use of exhibition forms in historical museums. Full article

This article reflects on the translation of gallery space into a virtually immersive experience in an era of remote access. Curators and scholars such as Mary Nooter Roberts, Susan Vogel, Carol Duncan, Tony Bennet, Stephen Greenblatt, Judith Mastai, and Barbara Kirshenblatt-Gimblett have discussed the myriad of ways in which the experience of culturally significant objects and sites in person has been critical to the study of art and its history. Focusing on theories of curation and display, I utilize practice-based examples from six virtual reality (VR) exhibitions produced in three different institutional contexts: the International Journal of Digital Art History’s online gallery, the European Cultural Center’s Performance Art program, and the Digital Humanities program at the University of California, Los Angeles. By documenting and analyzing the extended reality (XR) methods employed and the methodological approaches to the digital curatorial work, I address some of the challenges and opportunities of presenting objects in virtual space, offering comparisons to those faced when building physical exhibitions. I also consider how digital modalities provide a distinctly different paradigm for epistemologies of art and culture that offer greater contextualized understandings and can reshape exhibition documentation and the teaching of curatorial practice and museum studies. Full article