6533b7d8fe1ef96bd126b462

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Communication et médiation par le toucherdans quelques expositions de sciences : Limites et contraintes dans l’expérience des visiteurs

subject

description

This communication deals with the “general public” of visitors to a number of interactive exhibits that accord a direct or indirect role to the sense of touch in knowledge mediation and interpretation. The role of touch is discussed in terms of its limitations and constraints in communication situations. The social mobilizations of touch are not immediately evident; what are the conditions under which visitors actually use touch in experiencing an exhibit? What connections with other signifiers are the most conducive to reception? This qualitative research relies on observation and interviews. Apprehension of interactive objects appears to be dependent on the surrounding setting of sociability – sharing and exchange with other visitors, or with a docent/interpreter/mediator. Previous familiarity with museum configurations is also a decisive factor. Different degrees of participation can be identified, from visual imagining of “vicarious” touching, to direct engagement, enabling us to interpret the dynamics of the visitors’ experiences.