Shaping technology for intercultural interactions

As already mentioned in the previous chapters of this book, the primary aim of the MeLa experimental action was to investigate and a rm selected theoretical research goals positing the potential of digital and mobile tech- nologies to assist in establishing and supporting an intercultural dialogue in museums. Museo Diocesano’s action was focused on designing a visitor experience that enabled new ways of interaction: transforming the linear model of a museum visit into an active activity with multiple avenues for the visitor to experience content and encourage his or her participation. rough the use of a mobile platform, we hoped to open a dialogue, ena- bling contributions from visitors from di erent cultural backgrounds. On the one hand, the focus of these actions were, to test the feasibility of several concepts related to the application of various digital technologies. We were especially interested to investigate the technological capacity for video nar- rations and performative interaction by the user, and the e cacy of these tools for opening up di erent interpretations to the museum collection. On the other hand, this work also aimed to test user interfaces (UIs), gather information about possible software enabling AR technologies, and bring them into use in prototype applications in the museum setting. erefore the action at MuDi was designed with both of these goals in mind. ese steps in this process included tests for evaluating concepts, sessions with experts and specialists (e. g. art historians, theologians, museum cura- tors, etc.) to receive feedback, and prototyping of the nal application with general visitors attuned to multicultural exchange (e. g. immigrants, second generation immigrants and foreigners living in Milan). e Diocesan Museum was initially chosen because of the location and its collection. ese speci c experimental actions were then developed focus- ing on the collection in the hall of SS. Sacramento, a large atrium-like space with large paintings depicting various miracles related to the sacrament of the Eucharist. As described in detail in chapter three, the team chose this room for the experimental action because the dimensions of the room ena- bled interaction with the artworks on an accurate scale and the interesting themes of the paintings were conducive to multi-religious interpretations.