Installation problems of stationary interactive multimedia systems in museum expositions. Risks and solutions
Today museum community worries about the issue of the harmonious stationary interactive multimedia systems implementation. The problems lie in the three main components of the system - concept, content and technology. Conceptual risks Let's divide interactive systems into two categories: game and information. We need to clearly understand the role of these interactive systems. Game systems serve to attract attention to the museum. But there is a risk of turning the museum into an amusement hall. There are two main models of museum work - European, which is based on collecting; American - a museum of events, not objects. Game components should prevail only in the museums of the American model. But European museums also enrich their exposures with multimedia solutions. This forms a bias to the American formation. Content risks The content (subject) in museum spaces often remains on the sidelines. Priority is given to technology, they cause visitors to wow-effect. This approach is not long-term and damages the exposition object. Technology should not be an end in itself. The content is сall to make the visitor emotionally closer to the exhibit, and from this point of view we can use the tools: scenario, animation and video, artistic and graphic design, sound. One of the systems with linear scenario is the "Tarikh". The project is executed on an example of the Bilyar Museum-reserve. A feature of this system is the linear subject: introductory animation clip, interactive blocks with the buildings of the city and archaeological finds. Before each information block there is an animated movie, which includes the exhibits in the dramatic outline of the narrative about the history of the city. Thanks to this, all visitors receive new knowledge from the stand. And, most importantly, the visitor will experience catharsis coming to the real exhibits, and not just looking at the stand. Technical risks Is the risk of obsolescence of modern technologies. It should be consider that after a few years any component of the interactive systems device can be discontinued. That's why it is necessary to lay down possible analogues of components. So it is important not to forget that the task of the engineering and integration of multimedia systems is the harmonious implementation of modern technologies in an environment that demonstrates the objects of cultural heritage. Technology is just a way to communicate content, not a goal; it is necessary to focus on artistic facilities: script, animation and video, artistic and graphic design and design, sound. These facilities erase the boundaries between the exhibit and the viewer. To ensure this effect, it is necessary to insider attention on technical risks. Companies that develop multimedia technologies for museums must understand that the result of their work will be next to cultural exhibits. Economy on the artistic, software and technical parts can spoil the overall impression of the museum.