Any other comments...
If you have anything that you would like to propose or add to this discussion then please add your comments here!
Monday, 18 January 2010
Question 4- responses
Does emotional value encourage intellectual values which may not otherwise have been sought?
“Addressing an emotional side of the visitors may challenge their perception/ understanding. Intellectual values are not always created on a rational side, the emotional experience can provide intellectual value”.
“I think it can if visitors aren’t prepared to deeply reflect on their emotions happening…”
“Maybe, but I guess it depends on the intelligence and/ or motivations of the audience to begin with”.
“Addressing an emotional side of the visitors may challenge their perception/ understanding. Intellectual values are not always created on a rational side, the emotional experience can provide intellectual value”.
“I think it can if visitors aren’t prepared to deeply reflect on their emotions happening…”
“Maybe, but I guess it depends on the intelligence and/ or motivations of the audience to begin with”.
Question 3- responses
Does encouraging emotional values undermine the purpose of museums as institutions of learning?
“I think that by encouraging emotions a museum can make the experience more valuable to a visitor, therefore more memorable, either that is learning or entertainment”.
“No but the question need to be asked as why self consciously evoking emotion should be necessary.
“Giving an over-directed experience will work for some people and not others, so a range of values/ focus/ lack of values should be offered”.
“I think that by encouraging emotions a museum can make the experience more valuable to a visitor, therefore more memorable, either that is learning or entertainment”.
“No but the question need to be asked as why self consciously evoking emotion should be necessary.
“Giving an over-directed experience will work for some people and not others, so a range of values/ focus/ lack of values should be offered”.
Question 2- repsonses
Does the attainment of emotional value from a museum object distract a visitor from learning about that object?
“Not necessarily distract, but can lead/ enforce/ direct an interpretation over another”.
"I think it can prevent a deeper engagement with an object- leading to a singular point of view about it. I think it can hinder their ability to spark dialogue- sort of like touching for the novelty of it- but not really thinking about the emotions and why they are happening…”
“In my experience it enhances the learning experience”.
“Not necessarily distract, but can lead/ enforce/ direct an interpretation over another”.
"I think it can prevent a deeper engagement with an object- leading to a singular point of view about it. I think it can hinder their ability to spark dialogue- sort of like touching for the novelty of it- but not really thinking about the emotions and why they are happening…”
“In my experience it enhances the learning experience”.
Question 1- reponses
To what extent does actively encouraging specific emotional values interfere with visitor’s ability to identify their own values?
“I think it can sort of make emotions a novelty- museums need to make sure they are transparent about shaping opinion & allow avenues for people to think deeply about what they are feeling and why”.
“It depends on the exhibition strategy but it certainly interfere with visitors ability to identify and encourage their own values and emotions”
“I think it may interfere if ones values are not very fully formed (as for children), but it shouldn’t be the case about adults."
“I think it can sort of make emotions a novelty- museums need to make sure they are transparent about shaping opinion & allow avenues for people to think deeply about what they are feeling and why”.
“It depends on the exhibition strategy but it certainly interfere with visitors ability to identify and encourage their own values and emotions”
“I think it may interfere if ones values are not very fully formed (as for children), but it shouldn’t be the case about adults."
Delegates responses
Conference delegates made some very interesting comments and arguments in response to the session and I would like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who contributed.
Here is a selection of those comments which will hopefully inspire some further discussion and debate!
Here is a selection of those comments which will hopefully inspire some further discussion and debate!
The question
How does encouraging emotional values affect the interpretation of real objects in museums?
For full details of the paper or delegates responses, or for further information on the topic of value in museums, please contact me on jenniespen@gmail.com.
A brief summary:
Firstly let's clarify what is meant here by 'value'. It is the outcomes that visitors believe to justify the investment of visiting. The type and number of these values which visitors may seek or attain is almost infinite. From previous research I have devised a value grouping system, specific to museums and the needs, wants and aims of their visitors. This system proposes 5 groupings:
Physical values
Social values
Interpersonal values
Intellectual values
Emotional values.
It is the last which is discussed here: emotional values are those which impact on visitors emotional state, attitudes and feelings.
The intention of this paper was not to answer the question but invite debate and discussion on the topic. To initiate this discussion a number of sub-questions were posed (see below)
For full details of the paper or delegates responses, or for further information on the topic of value in museums, please contact me on jenniespen@gmail.com.
A brief summary:
Firstly let's clarify what is meant here by 'value'. It is the outcomes that visitors believe to justify the investment of visiting. The type and number of these values which visitors may seek or attain is almost infinite. From previous research I have devised a value grouping system, specific to museums and the needs, wants and aims of their visitors. This system proposes 5 groupings:
Physical values
Social values
Interpersonal values
Intellectual values
Emotional values.
It is the last which is discussed here: emotional values are those which impact on visitors emotional state, attitudes and feelings.
The intention of this paper was not to answer the question but invite debate and discussion on the topic. To initiate this discussion a number of sub-questions were posed (see below)
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