The Influence of Museum Architecture: Notes on Visitor Experience

Abstract

The world of art in the future looks different to everyone. There are some scholars that focus on the broadening capabilities of technology and how that influences museum's abilities. There are some who believe changing the form and medium in which we digest our art is going to change the landscape of museums. Then there is the thinking that; the future of art is reliant on how we can make it more accessible to anyone and everyone. While navigating through museums, visitors are distracted by the grandiosity of the museum structures and the belief that the space inherently holds value. They never consider the question, "How does this serve me?"� instead of thinking "How do I fit into this?"� The museum, as it stands, currently works against the visitor instead of with the visitor. Surely there is an educated and affluent class of museum visitors who do ask, "How does this serve me?" But there is yet a larger class of museum visitors that still ask, "How do I fit into this?" These are the visitors we must target. Art museums currently work as a system that a visitor has to navigate their way through. Museum curators have developed a pattern (or "flow") that best presents the narrative that the exhibit is offering. If visitors stray from the intended narrative the effect will—undoubtedly—be diminished. Yet, visitors should be allowed the autonomy to choose, even if it means experiencing the space not as intended. The museum's desire for visitors to adhere to a particular pathway can be perceived as unwelcoming. The lengths museums go to to ensure the intended path is taken can unintentionally make the visitors feel like cattle.