Intro to Virtual Exhibit 29 October 2010

Virtual ExhibitAlec Badenoch, 29 October 2010

The Project:A transnational history

of Europe with technology as central

focuswww.tensionsofeurope.eu

6 Volumes

Europe in the Global World

From Nature to Networks: the Infrastructural Transformation of Europe

European Technological Dramas: Histories of Consumption and Use

Eventing Europe: Electronic Information and Communication Spaces in Europe

Knowledge Societies, Expert Networks and Innovation Cultures in Europe

Governing Europe: Technology, Experts and Networks

'National' technologiestell transnational

stories...

Our goal: stimulating use of digital cultural heritage

• utilize available online resources (and provide stimulus for more...)

• provide rich narrative environments for exploration and engagement

• generate interpretive dialogue with experts• create links to and between collections

and institutions

Virtual Exhibit: the concept

• 'Static' component: web-based object-driven exhibit compiled by scholars drawing on collections

• Dynamic component: gather selectedrelated content directly from online collections

• Further user interactivity: multiple views (including maps); save trajectories or light table images; tag and share; chat/discuss

Making Europe: principles

• European stories are those that question borders, show movements, explore tensions;

• Objects are shown as having multiple meaningsand contexts within and beyond the exhibit;

• Expert-led and user-led stories are brought into dialogue with each other;

• Stories and environments provide conceptual tools for contextualization, further exploration and study

…plus ‘dynamic’ content…

‘static’ narratives…

Zones of exploration (in tension)

…plus the web: sharing, tagging, re-use

…Plus partner

collections…

6 exhibits, 6 stories each…

From text led stories...

London to Bombay by Road

....to object led stories

In the early years of motoring, automobiles were extremely costly, and almost entirely for leisure. Long-distance touring and racing were their main uses. In 1933, the Alliance Internationale de Tourisme proposed a plan to build a road from London to Istanbul and beyond to British colonies in Africa and India. The plan would would not build new roads but merely improve existing roads for mixed car, horse, carriage and foot traffic. This map of the road, produced in 1938 shows bold lines that indicate smooth connections, along with distances to be covered between each city. Such maps were more meant to lobby support for a grand vision of connection to the colonies than to express any sort of reality on the ground. Even in the first portions of road to be built – the stretch from London to Istanbul – paved roads suitable for cars were far from the norm.

From London to Bombay By Road

Map produced by the Automobile Association of Western India, 1938 from their promotional brochure From London to India—by Road!

Source: ANWB Archive, The Hague

Owner: Automobile Association

And see what else out there is related:

theme path: The incredible car

see map view

Linking theme paths (connecting objects between stories and exhibits)

Further features

• Search• Lightbox for static and dynamic content• Additonal (non-published) comment• Map views• Tagging and sharingPhase II• User stories• User-generated content

Exploring the Dark Continent(Europe in a Global World)

hic sunt dracones

Europe: a user’s manual(Technological Dramas)

Housing for beginners

Stories focus on use and adaptation of circulating artefacts; where possible personal stories as story drivers

Building the European Expert(Knowledge Societies)

Stories focus on biographical variables:(also birthplace, nationality, gender, area of expertise)

social network projectseducation

++ =

'Eventing' Europe: events

Single events as story drivers that show material, institutional and symbolic aspects of communication and information

Making the Big Picture(Nature to Networks)

Primary source maps as story drivers, to explore technologies, knowledges, connections; disconnections

Making, learning (and breaking) the rules (Governing Europe)

Time Frame

• October 29 2010 Discuss design and participation with (potential) partners

• End November: set basic design and exhibit features

• January12-14 workshop: Further opportunity to meet with museums; first stories ready

• May 2011 – Working prototype of design, partner coalition, closing NIAS workshop