Remixing the Past: Memory objects in a digital realm

Abstract

Museums frequently provide rich material to inspire creative processes. Memories of personal or cultural stories that are linked to prior knowledge or experience can be stimulated by museum displays and objects. In this way museum collections can generate a wealth of associated ideas; these can be synthesised to produce completely new concepts.

Digital three-dimensional (3D) models of museum artefacts hold the potential to inspire creative processes and promote the exchange of ideas in a similar fashion. Digital 3D models of heritage objects can provide a means of rapid interaction and translation from physical artefact to malleable virtual form that can help synthesise imaginative thought.

Digital data is fluid and malleable; there is no fixed cut-off point where it can be said that a 3D model is complete; it can always be edited and transformed further. If actively embraced, the fluid qualities of digital 3D models of heritage artefacts can foster new and creative forms of engagement with heritage.

Creative engagement with digital 3D models of heritage artefacts can stimulate learning and foster meaningful and personal experiences. This presentation will give examples from a case study at the National Museum Cardiff (http://immaterialartefacts.blogspot.co.uk) and from a review of other cases of creative digital museum strategies. The presentation will outline the potential benefits of open and creative engagement with digital reproductions of heritage artefacts, both for museums and their audiences.