Interfacing with history: Curating with audio augmented objects

TL;DR

This paper explores how audio augmented reality objects in museums influence visitor interaction, behavior, and feedback, highlighting their potential to enhance engagement and reframe exhibit experiences.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of audio augmented objects as interfaces for digital archives and discusses their curatorial potential in museum settings.

Findings

Visitors' behavior is significantly influenced by audio augmented objects.

Audio AR enhances visitor engagement and interaction.

Audio AR can re-contextualize and renew experiences with museum exhibits.

Abstract

This article presents and discusses the results from visitors' interactions with two audio augmented reality experiences containing audio augmented objects; physical, real-world objects to which virtual audio sources have been attached. It then proceeds to discusses the commonly identified themes arising from the observation of visitors' behaviour within these experiences and the analysis of their verbal and written feedback. The curatorial potential of audio augmented objects is discussed and, by way of conclusion, their functionality as interfaces to digital audio archival content is proposed, along with their ability to reframe, re-contextualise and create renewed experiences with existing collections of silenced museum exhibits.