The Audible Artefact: Promoting Cultural Exploration and Engagement with Audio Augmented Reality

TL;DR

This paper explores the use of audio augmented reality to enhance cultural engagement in museums and galleries, presenting ongoing projects, challenges, and initial findings from a practice-based research approach.

Contribution

It introduces novel applications of audio AR in cultural settings and discusses methodological approaches for engaging visitors with sound archives and artifacts.

Findings

Initial positive visitor engagement observed

Challenges in sound presentation within AR environments identified

Framework for future development proposed

Abstract

This paper introduces two ongoing projects where audio augmented reality is implemented as a means of engaging museum and gallery visitors with audio archive material and associated objects, artworks and artefacts. It outlines some of the issues surrounding the presentation and engagement with sound based material within the context of the cultural institution, discusses some previous and related work on approaches to the cultural application of audio augmented reality, and describes the research approach and methodology currently engaged with in developing an increased understanding in this area. Additionally, it discusses the project within the context of related cultural and sound studies literature, presents some initial conclusions as a result of a practice-based approach, and outlines the next steps for the project.