Adapting the contextual approach

A contextual approach very much keeps to what the museum patron knows and is familiar with. My idea of a museum is that of dinosaur bones, priceless artwork, and other random odds and ends that have some sort of value associated with them. Usually these items are displayed in ways that make them easy to understand and relate to. Artifacts locked up in glass cases, with plaques containing information about them, is the generally accepted method of conveying information, and works out fairly well for museums. But in order for a museum to stay appealing and on the ‘cutting edge’ in this modern era, a more contemporary approach must also be incorporated. Many museums have begun to modernize by incorporating technology into their exhibits. Now, instead of just seeing the bones of extinct animals and reading a short blurb about them on the walls, visitors can now see how the animal might have looked, in astonishingly life like detail. This is all thanks to new age materials, and techniques. Not only are the exhibits more vibrant, but thanks to sounds and animatronics, a dinosaur can now literally walk around an environment and let out a roar. Another way museums are keeping with the times, is by offering interactive exhibits. No longer are the rules of ‘look but don’t touch’ in effect. One example that comes to my mind, is the last time I visited the Seattle aquarium. They had an exhibit set up with a variety of sea creatures in a tank that you could actually get your hands on. The tank was at about waist high, and was primarily designed for children, but provided fun for everyone. This very hands on approach offered the ability to get up close and personal with some very docile sea creatures, like the starfish, for who ever wanted to examine them. In the end, I feel like a healthy mix between old and new is what it is going to take in order for a museum to stay successful in this ever changing world.