museumsandtheweb.com - Classification

How to Win an Art Prize Without Making a Thing: QR codes, Classifications and Controversy

Susan Cairns — Fri, 06 Apr 2012 14:52:31 +0000

MW2012

Susan Cairns, The University of Newcastle, Australia

Abstract

Program Item Reference:

How to Win an Art Prize Without Making a Thing: QR codes, Classifications, and Controversy

Susan Cairns — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 00:22:02 +0000

MW2012

Published Paper:

How to Win an Art Prize Without Making a Thing: QR codes, Classifications and Controversy

Keywords:

Classification

Keywords:

controversy

Keywords:

Augmented Reality (AR)

Keywords:

QR codes

Keywords:

art prize

Abstract:

A growing number of museums have begun to seize upon the possibilities of Quick Response (QR) codes linked to electronic records and multimedia as a way to augment in-gallery information. QR codes seem to provide museums with a simple and accessible way of providing additional in situ information about objects. However, access does not necessarily lead to engagement. This paper documents an augmented reality art intervention that used QR codes linked to digital captions to expose both the flawed nature of museum classification, and the potentially alienating effect of technology in the museum context.

Called Classify Me2.0, the museological work, which won the 2011 Watt Space Gallery Art Prize and responded to the Art Prize theme Classify Me, was a form of trompe l’oeil curating, a term coined by America artist Fred Wilson to mean meta-museology. The artist assigned classification to all works of art entered into the Prize, exposing vital problems inherent in the categorisation of museum objects. This was a critical undertaking because, as Ken Arnold writes, “taxonomy and classification have for almost three centuries been the most powerful way by which knowledge has been created and then reinterpreted within museums.”[1]

The artist then used QR codes linked to electronic records to display these classifications proximate to the works themselves, making it possible for visitors with enabled smart phones to consider the classification of object in situ with the objects themselves. However, the QR codes were visually unengaging and difficult to ‘read’. Prior to exhibition, the Gallery Director decided that no explanation of how to use QR codes in the Gallery space, meaning that only those already familiar with the technology were really enabled to interact with the work. The classification website could be accessed via a computer on site, but it too was difficult to engage with. Few visitors to the exhibition utilised either technology to connect with the work.

By winning an art show with a museological critique Classify Me2.0 provoked controversy in the local arts community. However, it also exposed serious complexities and flaws inherent in museum classification, and demonstrated clear barriers to access of technology in the museum context if not fully integrated into supporting documentation. This paper will document the issues it raised about classifications, QR codes and technology.

[1] Arnold, Ken. Cabinets for the Curious: Looking Back at Early English Museums. Hants & Burlington: Ashgate Publishing, 2006. 243.

Type:

Demonstration - show your project

MW2012 Demonstrations III

Site:

http://www.classifyme2.com

Authors:

Susan Cairns

Mixing It Up: Developing and Implementing a Tagging System for a Content-Rich Website Which Uses Aggregated Content from Multiple Sources

alewis — Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:47:49 +0000

MW2011

Andrew Lewis, Victoria and Albert Museum, United Kingdom

http://beta.vam.ac.uk

Abstract

In 2009, the Victoria and Albert Museum website had a very large amount of in-depth content including museum content and user-generated features. This presented a challenge in connecting users with site content that they may not have been aware of. In January 2011, the Museum made live a beta version of its redesigned website which aimed to address this issue. The new site moved away from a hierarchical navigation model to a dynamic concept-driven one. This aimed to collect and present content relevant to the user's subject of interest. A central method in achieving this was the development of a tagging system to classify Web content so that it would aggregate as required. This paper looks at the reality of developing and implementing a bespoke tagging system that could be effective for users yet simple enough to use for staff who are not specialist classifiers. The human issues for staff in developing the system are discussed, with some early results and feedback from the early beta-testing period. It is hoped the paper will offer insight into what happens in practice when using tagging for real on a live website.

Keywords: tagging, content, staff, classification, management

Program Item Reference:

Mixing it up: Experiences of managing and displaying aggregated content from multiple sources, combining editorial selection, subject classification using tagging and automated retrieval.

Linking Text and Image Databases in GENREG: A Multi-media Museum Management at the National Museum of Denmark

jtrant — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 03:18:22 +0000

Rold, L. (1997). Linking Text and Image Databases in GENREG: A Multi-media Museum Management at the National Museum of Denmark. Museum Interactive Multimedia 1997: cultural heritage systems design and interfaces. Selected Papers from ichim97.