Let’s Get Real
What’s the difference between the “real thing” and something simulated or superficial, and when does the distinction make a difference? This month, we explore this question by looking at true (versus token) relationship building, an AI-generated (versus living) artist, and dynamic (versus static) maps.
August Coffee Break Picks
EMILY’S PICK
The Relationship is the Project
“Museums and Change recently hosted Isabel Singer, an exhibit developer at Luci Creative, who led a discussion about ‘how museums exploit communities in exhibit design processes.’ During the session, participants shared lots of resources in the chat, one of which was the publication The Relationship is the Project, a guide to working with communities that focuses on the arts and culture sectors. I went down a rabbit hole of all the podcasts, videos, and blog posts linked to on the publication’s website and invite you to do the same if you are interested in learning more about the idea of community engaged practice.”
HANNAH’S PICK
Dal-oui or Dal-don't... !
“At our last coffee break, we had fun discussing this article about the Ask Dalí exhibition at the Dalí Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida. Visitors can ask a question into a copy of the artist’s Lobster Telephone and receive an AI-generated response in the voice of the artist. Of course, any AI intervention is not without concern; for example, who can say Dalí would have answered similarly if he were alive today? Would he even consent to his ideas, words, and voice being used in this particular way? While we appreciate museums thinking outside the box about ways to engage visitors, I personally have to wonder if museum people rely on generative AI technology too much to do the work of interpretation.”
CATHY’S PICK
Making Maps That Move
“Maps are a great way to visualize how people move through a space, like an exhibition or even a whole museum. But the problem with many maps that try to show flow and movement is, well...they are static! In this short video, fellow evaluator and data visualizer Nick Visscher shows us how to use free features in Microsoft PowerPoint to quickly and easily create animated maps that use pulsing shapes to highlight points of interest (such as where people spent the most time). It’s a great trick to liven up your next timing and tracking report!”
New on the Learning Hub
What’s New At Kera?
We’ve completed some projects in the last couple of months! Read about our recent exploratory research project to help the National Museum of the American Latino shape its new professional development program and our front-end evaluation study to support the refresh of an early childhood exhibition at the Science Center of Iowa!
Ebony is attending the Association of African American Museums conference in Baltimore from August 13 to August 16. Say hi if you see her there!
Moment of Wonder
“I was able to check off a travel destination that has been on my bucket list forever— Uzbekistan! I’ve always wanted to see the historic cities of Bukhara and Samarkand, and they did not disappoint. Parts of the cities transport you to a different time, where caravansaries dot the open roads, camels bring in goods from all around the world, and the smell of saffron tea wafts through the air.”
— Lina
