Abstract
In an era where cultural institutions are called upon to foster innovation and broaden social participation, interactivity is often celebrated in contemporary museum discourse as a catalyst for innovation and social involvement. However, implementing interactive strategies frequently reveals tensions between institutional ambitions and the actual integration of architecture, museography, and museology. This study critically examines such tensions in Brazilian museum practice through a secondary analysis of empirical research by Lupo (2019), who investigated three emblematic institutions: the Football Museum (São Paulo), the Museum of Tomorrow (Rio de Janeiro), and the Museum of the Portuguese Language (São Paulo). Drawing from museum studies and architectural theory, particularly the works of Davallon (1999), Santacana and Piñol (2010), and Falk and Dierking (2000), the research explores how interactivity is shaped not only by technological devices but also by spatial and narrative configurations. The study identifies critical challenges in aligning participatory goals with interdisciplinary design processes, echoing Machado’s (2015) critique of the uncritical adoption of digital media in exhibitions. The findings suggest that, despite discourses of innovation, a lack of coordination among curatorial, architectural, and museological teams often compromises the effectiveness of interactivity as a communicational and inclusive practice. This analysis reveals how fragmented planning can limit the museum’s capacity to serve as a socially engaged cultural space. It concludes by arguing that genuine innovation in galleries and museums often depends on early and sustained cross-disciplinary collaboration, capable of integrating content, form, and visitor experience into a coherent institutional narrative.
Presenters
Julia ResendeStudent, Master, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Luiza Novaes
Professor, Department of Arts and Design, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio, Brazil
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Interactive Museography, Exhibition Design, Museum Architecture, Visitor Engagement, Brazilian Museums
