Does the virtual representation of art treasures increase the popularity of museums?
MúzeumCafé 9.
A museum presents a virtual world. Several aspects of the real world have to be displayed within four walls. All that museology has ever used, i.e. pictures, items, has basically served this virtual world. Digital devices represent an essential but only technical change in the virtual toolbar of museology. This is particularly true for archaeology. While great works of art are often treated in terms of aesthetic value removed from the historic environment, archaeology, which examines the material culture of by-gone times, can understand and reconstruct the objects of its research only virtually. Archaeology has long moved beyond the framework of being a mere treasure hunt. It no longer aims only to explore and define the findings – they have become a means to learn about the life of past ages. At the same time we must admit that a broken piece of pottery or a partly crumbling stone carving throw professionals, at least, into fever. Yet, if a museologist can virtually add what is seen in the object, the environment where it was made and used, the hidden values will become obvious for all.
Júlia Katona, Museologist, developer of the Hungarian National Gallery’s website
The answer is, of course, yes. Really exciting museum sites have far more significance than just serving a museum’s communication needs. The service function subservient to communication and marketing goals represents the beginning stage of a museum’s presence on the web. Creative internet developers can turn a museum website into an autonomous cultural entity, equal and adding to what visitors can see in the museum. The technical and virtual potentialities of appearing on the web can complement museums and their exhibitions with extra information, which not only represents what is on display in a digital form but enhances and supplements exhibitions in an interactive way. This should be the long term-goal of museum website development in Hungary. My favourite example is the Louvre’s site (www.louvre.fr), which is an excellent illustration of a creative museum website. The matter is not simply a question of money. No doubt we are not starting out with equal opportunities in terms of finance, however, miracles can be achieved with proper intellectual investment, a creative approach on behalf of the developer and editor, and with an independent editorial board. While developing the Hungarian National Gallery’s website several basic criteria have been implemented, which have resulted in a well-operating site with respect to both content and image.