MULTISENSORY EXHIBITING IN MODERN MUSEUM DISCOURSE (BASED ON NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUMS’ EXHIBITIONS IN LONDON, OXFORD, CAMBRIDGE)

Abstract

The article highlights multimodal exhibiting at Natural History Museums in London, Oxford and Cambridge that position themselves as important platforms for public education and scholarly dialogue on critical environmental issues. These multisensory exhibition strategies and discourse align with contemporary educational theories, emphasise experiential learning, critical thinking, visitors’ engagement and their personalised experience. By immersing visitors in sensory-rich environments that replicate real-world phenomena, museums facilitate meaningful connections between visitors and the natural world developing the concept of a participatory museum. By integrating visual art, visual aids, informative texts, soundscapes, high-fidelity audio, tactile experiences, interactive displays, panels, models, immersive exhibits, interactive technology, interactive touch-screen installations, interactive puzzle games, permanent and temporary exhibitions create a more inclusive and dynamic learning environment that accommodates different learning preferences. Tactile modality is effectively incorporated into a range of interactive experiences within Natural History museums exhibitions offering visitors a more informative, immersive and interactive way to connect with exhibits. The blend of physical interaction and descriptive content allows for a more immersive understanding of nature, fauna and flora, transforming a static display into a more dynamic, interactive learning experience. Sensory invitations, linguistic directives, textual instructions assist visitors in both visually and cognitively interpreting the intended action, enhance physical interaction with the displays. When further interaction with the exhibit is required, action verbs are accompanied by symbolic imagery to reinforce meaning. This integration of language and imagery creates a layered, multimodal communication system that engages visitors not only cognitively but also sensorily. By combining textual instructions with visual representation, via text-image relationship, the exhibits offer an interactive learning experience that appeals to various sensory modalities and learning preferences, making complex information more accessible and memorable.