Unveiling Hidden Histories: Mixed Reality Heritage Performances as a Decolonizing Tool for Heritage Sites

Core Concepts

Mixed Reality Heritage Performances (MRHP) can serve as a powerful tool to critically engage the public with under-represented narratives and challenge dominant colonial power structures embedded in heritage sites.

Abstract

The content introduces two world-first Mixed Reality (MR) experiences, "Sancho's Journey" and "Jin's Dream," that fuse smart AR glasses and live theatre to reveal the hidden and difficult histories about slavery at heritage sites in London, UK and Deerfield, Massachusetts, US.
The key highlights and insights are:

The heritage industry has been struggling with the legacy of colonialism, and decolonization efforts aim to challenge the dominant colonial power structures embedded in heritage sites.

The project brought together smart glass Augmented Reality and immersive heritage performance to create a new medium for critical engagement with the site's history in the context of decolonization.

The two MRHP experiences were designed to give voice to the experiences and cultures of enslaved people, while also revealing how slavery was embedded and justified within the society of the time.

The experiences were a collaborative effort involving various disciplines, including interaction design, public history, theatre direction, and curation, with input from a youth panel with experience in exhibitions and projects related to enslavement and colonialism.

The evaluation of the performances showed a heightened sense of engagement, with the "magic moments" created by the seamless interplay between the acting and the MR content being particularly impactful.

The experiences provided an affective and experiential learning component, allowing participants to discover new information about the sites' connections to slavery and the transatlantic slave trade.

The project also led to the development of a design toolkit that offers guidelines for professionals across creative, administrative, and production departments in heritage organizations and theatre companies on how to collaborate with immersive media specialists to design and produce similar experiences.

Stats

The content does not provide any specific metrics or important figures to support the author's key logics. The focus is on the design and implementation of the Mixed Reality Heritage Performances and their impact on the audience.

Quotes

The content does not include any striking quotes supporting the author's key logics.

Key Insights Distilled From

Mixed Reality Heritage Performance As a Decolonising Tool for Heritage Sites

by Mariza Dima,... at arxiv.org 04-12-2024

https://arxiv.org/pdf/2404.07348.pdf

Deeper Inquiries

How can Mixed Reality Heritage Performances be further developed to enable more active participant agency and dialogue within the experiences?

To enhance participant agency and dialogue within Mixed Reality Heritage Performances (MRHP), several strategies can be implemented. Firstly, incorporating interactive elements that allow participants to make choices or influence the narrative can increase engagement and agency. This could involve branching storylines based on participant decisions or opportunities for direct interaction with actors or virtual elements. Additionally, integrating live feedback mechanisms where participants can provide input or ask questions in real-time can foster dialogue and a sense of co-creation within the experience. Moreover, designing clear cues or prompts for participants to engage actively in discussions or interactions can empower them to take a more participatory role in the performance. By creating a more dynamic and responsive environment, MRHP can evolve into immersive experiences that prioritize participant agency and dialogue.

What are the potential challenges and limitations in implementing such decolonizing approaches within the constraints and traditions of heritage institutions?

Implementing decolonizing approaches within heritage institutions can face several challenges and limitations. One significant challenge is resistance to change or reluctance to confront uncomfortable histories within established institutional frameworks. Heritage institutions may have ingrained traditions and narratives that uphold colonial perspectives, making it difficult to introduce alternative viewpoints. Additionally, resource constraints, both in terms of funding and expertise, can hinder the implementation of innovative decolonizing initiatives. Cultural sensitivities and the need for careful navigation of complex historical narratives can also pose challenges, as misinterpretations or misrepresentations can lead to backlash or controversy. Moreover, the hierarchical structures and power dynamics within heritage institutions may impede the adoption of more inclusive and diverse narratives. Overcoming these challenges requires a concerted effort to educate, collaborate, and advocate for change within the institutional context.

How can the insights and design toolkit from this project be applied to other contexts beyond heritage sites, such as education or community engagement, to critically engage with difficult histories and power structures?

The insights and design toolkit developed from this project can be valuable resources for applying similar approaches in other contexts beyond heritage sites. In education, the toolkit can inform the design of immersive learning experiences that challenge traditional narratives and encourage critical thinking about difficult histories and power structures. By incorporating elements of interactive storytelling, live performance, and augmented reality, educators can create engaging and impactful learning environments that promote empathy, reflection, and dialogue. Similarly, in community engagement initiatives, the toolkit can guide the development of interactive experiences that facilitate conversations around sensitive topics and empower community members to share their perspectives. By adapting the principles of collaborative creation, narrative design, and technological integration from the toolkit, diverse contexts can leverage immersive media to foster deeper understanding and engagement with complex historical and social issues.