Research Topic

My research question will focus on museums as spaces for informal and nonformal adult learning. Increasingly, museums are seen less as repositories for valuable objects, and more as spaces for dialogue, participation, and education. Many museums focus on a target audience of families with young children, while adult visitors present unique opportunities and challenges, and there has been less research dedicated to the adult visitor. Adult visitors have different needs and expectations, and they bring to the museum their own previous life experiences as well as a more established sense of personal identity. Unlike children who may be brought to the museum by parents or as part of school groups, adult participation in museums is typically voluntary, not mandatory. As part of my topic, I am interested in exploring successful examples of adult education and adult-centered programs in museums, potential barriers to adult participation in museums, and in investigating the needs of adult visitors so that museums may better expand their offerings to be more inclusive of a larger variety of visitors. I am particularly interested in the potential for adult programs in museums to address issues of inequity in their communities, such as the digital divide and the digital literacy gap.

Dudzinska-Przesmitzki, Dana, and Robin S. Grenier. “Nonformal and Informal Adult Learning in Museums.” Journal of Museum Education 33, no. 1 (2008): 9–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/10598650.2008.11510583.

Gutwill, Joshua P. “Science Self-Efficacy and Lifelong Learning: Emerging Adults in Science Museums.” Visitor Studies 21, no. 1 (2018): 31–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/10645578.2018.1503875.

Kim, Junghwan, Jieun You, and Soo Yeon Park. “Adult Learning for Social Change in Museums: An Exploration of Sociocultural Learning Approaches to Community Engagement.” Journal of Adult and Continuing Education 22, no. 2 (2016): 184–98. https://doi.org/10.1177/1477971416672328.

Robinson, Cynthia. “Into the Future: Adult Professional Groups and the 21st Century Museum.” Journal of Museum Education 36, no. 1 (2011): 103–11. https://doi.org/10.1080/10598650.2011.11510688.

research question and topic

 Aloha! Ua koho wau i ke kumuhana. Makemake au e noʻi i ka moʻolelo o ka hula ma Hawaiʻi. [translation Hawaiian to English: Hello! I chose a topic. I want to research the history of hula in Hawaiʻi.]

Through historical research, I want to outline the major events and cultural shifts in regards to hula. This will set a foundation for readers to understand the long-standing presence hula has in the Hawaiian culture. Through ethnographic interviews, I want to discover the thoughts and feelings about hula from the Hawaiian people. I have contacts with many people who are directly involved in the practice presently and in the past as well as those who are a part of the Hawaiian culture but do not practice hula. I think it's important to utilize interviews in my research because so much of Hawaiian culture is recorded through oral history. Using these two methods of research I aim to answer the following questions: How can hula be performed in an ethical and culturally responsible way? How can it be kept meaningful? How has hula evolved? How can we display hula in a museum? 

I am working on the historical importance of hula because I want to find out how it intersects in multiple aspects of Hawaiian culture (intersectionality) so that I can help others understand how to display intangible heritage in a meaningful and culturally responsible way. 

Third Post

Hello everybody,
For two of my research thesis, I wasn't able to decide which one to pick. My goal for this week is to make the final decision.  

1: How can Museums improve their accessibility for the deaf community? Also, I want to expand ideas of how to reach out the deaf audiences. Like I have mentioned in my previous post that how museums can try to improve their accessibility since individuals have their own preferences. To receive the information, I am planning to contact Ruth Starr since she is now working as an Accessibility Service expert. I would like to connected deaf communities by providing their needs for accessibility when they visit the museums. Also, I plan to come up with new ideas to support people with hearing loss by providing their preferred mode of communication. It is important that all of the visitors to the museums experience the exhibit equally and in ways that enable them to make lasting connections. If they not having their needs met during their visit, future discussions might not take place and visitors feel left out of the experience.  

KALISHER, ELANA. 1998. "Reexamining Diversity: A Look At The Deaf Community In Museums". Curator: The Museum Journal 41 (1): 13-35. doi:10.1111/j.2151-6952.1998.tb00811.x.

Renel, William. 2019. "Sonic Accessibility: Increasing Social Equity Through The Inclusive Design Of Sound In Museums And Heritage Sites". Curator: The Museum Journal 62 (3): 377-402. doi:10.1111/cura.12311.

2020. D1wqtxts1xzle7.Cloudfront.Net. https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/54407397/Bailey_Westerhoff_Thesis_July_2017.pdf?1505166315=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DIncreasing_Accessibility_Services_for_D.pdf&Expires=1600281316&Signature=DkqOCXOfFDkQ9WxmEqoXnPlX7cVhrSvB9gmacLyraS7LrowMIQhgqxglsI4ntrcKnqE~4iL-NXW0w5X4YuafY6H2AodYcuCUO61rxKdGHqqBx4aVEox1MxzvaSAVGjr~G3yJM9mh-LQc73RaEAa8MYS1iANQMK5UOARWMRGmXXr8nB5okBIyxlohooDRSnxK~-ZK1R6Xw15B22mDc0V2wnKKYENFEo1ZwRy2glfe6ff-BtM2lnNL4pMsuS-KW-qgAdeZol2tmVFv9Sm4kKfvugMbVWO2oRh3UELAcpty1j6Cq-wVYJcy6tRYMutPOK7IWlJud0vMvnF6evxVtBgmtw__&Key-Pair-Id=APKAJLOHF5GGSLRBV4ZA.

2: What should the museums do with the stolen objects? The main focus will be on stolen arts during the Second World War. I would like to find out more information based on museums that do hold on to stolen arts. The case studies I plan to research will support the families' wishes for their lost artwork. For this research, I will work on discovering information by contacting some of the museums. 

"New York City Museums Are Fighting To Keep Art Stolen By The Nazis". 2018. New York Post. https://nypost.com/2018/11/24/new-york-city-museums-are-fighting-to-keep-art-stolen-by-the-nazis/.

"U.S. Museums Fail To Address Nazi-Era Stolen Art Claims ". 2020. Claims Conference/WRJO Looted Art And Cultural Property Initiative. http://art.claimscon.org/home-new/looted-art-cultural-property-initiative/advocacy/u-s-museums-fail-to-address-nazi-era-stolen-art-claims/.

"U.S. Museums Fail To Address Nazi-Era Stolen Art Claims ". 2020. Claims Conference/WRJO Looted Art And Cultural Property Initiative. http://art.claimscon.org/home-new/looted-art-cultural-property-initiative/advocacy/u-s-museums-fail-to-address-nazi-era-stolen-art-claims/.

Further Understanding Art Museums

 As I have continued to ponder the different ways in which I can research art museums, I have shifted from looking at the history of the institution, to the complex relationships between museum and artist. Using the Impressionists as an example, this group was so ignored by the French Academy that they eventually held their own Salons, creating a new type of "museum" experience. While this remained the norm for a short time, artists considered to be controversial eventually found their way back into the museum space. It is this point that I intend to delve further into as I am curious to understand the intricacies of a relationship dependent on an institution and an individual coming together. As an art museum must continue to generate income, they must consider the fact that the public may wish to see art by those who have opposed the institution in the past- meaning that concessions must be made. 

While there is much to talk about within this subject, it is the idea of what and how these two parties concede to each other that is of great interest to me. Will a museum be judged for inviting an artist considered "controversial" to its members? Will the artist be considered a "sell-out" for showing their work within a formal institution? It is these relationships and real life examples that I hope to examine and reflect upon, as a way to understand these give-and-take scenarios.

Research Question: I want to study institutional showings of controversial artists, to find out how they interact with the art museum, so I can help others to understand the intricacies of the relationship between both parties, and how each must concede to the other.

Digital and Physical Facsimiles

Hello again! Trying to clearly define the purpose of my thesis was rather difficult because I feel as if there are a lot of reasons this is something I should research, but I knew it is best if I focus on one reason why this topic is worthwhile. 

For my thesis research, I am interested in exploring the use of facsimiles in museums to answer the question: do digital and physical reproductions of wood type fonts allow for preservation of the original fonts while maintaining an authentic, participatory experience for visitors? I plan to work with the Genesee Country Village & Museum to digitally render and physically recreate a selection of their wooden type fonts that are used in the printer’s shop onsite. By creating these facsimiles with the intent of printing with them, I hope to demonstrate the capabilities of modern technology and the benefits of its use so as to better preserve the original artifacts while still allowing for historical re-enactment. 

Bringing out museum storage

 My research question is, I am working on how museums can take collections out of storage and bring them to the public eye because I want to figure out a way to help museums turn over their exhibitions so it is more beneficial to visitors. I plan on doing my research with the Tompkins Center for History and Culture so I am able to see first hand and up close what their current system is like and how it could be better. I also plan on making recommendations on how to rotate exhibitions more often and bringing in a digital aspect to showcase more objects. 

Johnson, Tanya M. "Let's Get Virtual: Examination of Best Practices to Provide Public Access to Digital Versions of Three-Dimensional Objects." Information Technology and Libraries (Online) 35, no. 2 (06, 2016): 39-55. https://ezproxy.rit.edu/login?url=https://www-proquest-com.ezproxy.rit.edu/docview/1804902530?accountid=108.

Martini, R.G., Guimarães, M., Librelotto, G.R. et al. Creating virtual exhibition rooms from emigration digital archives. Univ Access Inf Soc 16, 823–833 (2017). https://doi-org.ezproxy.rit.edu/10.1007/s10209-016-0479-7

Siegal, Nina. “Museums Throw Open the Storage Rooms, Letting in the Public.” The New York Times, December 18, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/18/arts/design/museum-storage.html.

Pogrebin, Robin. “Clean House to Survive? Museums Confront Their Crowded Basements.” The New York Times. The New York Times, March 10, 2019. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/03/10/arts/museum-art-quiz.html?mtrref=www.google.com.

Second Post: Thesis Topic

Hello everyone! 

It has been interesting trying to come up with an idea that will last a year. So far I have been able to think of two subjects which were a struggle because I was trying to fit my idea into a thesis. The first idea is based on how to provide well-done deaf accessibility. I want to expand knowledge about how museums can try to improve their accessibility since individuals have their own preferences. Like I have mentioned in my first post, I did experience some barriers that I couldn't enjoy equally like other visitors on the tour. The second idea is to focus on the stolen objects being exhibited at the museums. I will go in the depth of the stolen arts during World War Two. I have conducted some research in the past few years to find a way to do the right things. I always thought the history of WWII and art was so fascinating. I was able to discover some of the arts that were stolen and displayed in the museums without the consent of the victims. Overall, there is only one problem which is determining the final decision of the topic. 

My Topic Idea

 Hello!

As we have gotten deeper into the semester and discussed possible thesis focuses, I believe I have started to form the basis of what I want to write about. Due to my continued interest in art history and art museums, I have chosen to focus on how the art museums of contemporary society have come to be. Stemming from the private collections of the wealthy, the earliest art exhibitions were available only to those with the status or wealth to engage with the collection's owner. From this point, the notion of the French Academy rose to prominence, and public exhibitions were sanctioned by the elite in conjunction with governmental forces.

While this manner of exhibiting artwork became the norm for many years, many artists became frustrated and began to rebel. Staging their own exhibitions, the Impressionists became the most well-known group to reject the traditional French ideals of exhibiting artwork, After so many years of being shown in the Salon des Refusés, the Impressionists worked to show that their work deserved the recognition received by other artists working in the classical tradition. From this uprising against societal norms, the Impressionists were able to hold their own Salons (eight in total), and normalize the idea that there is more than one acceptable version of art.

While this is a very pared down summary of all that took place leading up to the shift within cultural institutions, it is the framework for how I will further my ideas. While the Impressionists worked to show their art to a society hesitant to accept them, their influence aided in reaching the types of art museums we visit today. When visiting a modern museum and seeing the various types of work, one may not realize the history that allowed us to enjoy such an experience.

Idea for Topic

 Hi!

As I have been thinking about my thesis I have found myself struggling with taking my interests and creating a topic and research question. I have spent these first few weeks really thinking about my interests and how to take those and find something I would like to research. After this much needed reflection I think I have found a topic that will gauge my interests. 

I have decided to do a thesis on how to bring out collections and objects from museum storage. I have decided to focus on this area because I believe that museums have so many wonderful objects in their collections that never come out of storage and this does not benefit the public in any way. I am thinking about working with the Tompkins Center for History and Culture where I did my internship this summer. With their help I will be able to have hands on experience and a collection at my disposal.

I really like this topic, since I have thought of it I haven’t been able to think about any other. I think that I would be happy to spend a year researching and writing about this.

topic ideas

    Aloha iā kākou! Nui koʻu mau manaʻo no kaʻu papahana. He mea nui ʻo Hawaii iaʻu. [translation Hawaiian to English: Hello everyone! I have a lot of ideas for my project. Hawaii is very important to me.] 

    Currently, I have four different topics I'm thinking about pursuing. The first one is displaying intangible heritage in museums; this could include but is not limited to dance, music, and language. I thought of this topic with the Hawaiian culture in mind. Being Native Hawaiian is a huge part of my identity which brings me to another topic idea about the identity crisis of multi-ethnic Americans to discuss the theoretical framework of intersectionality. This proposal leans away from Museum Studies and more towards my cultural anthropology degree. Another idea that investigates multiculturalism is the relationship between museums or collecting institutions and native peoples. This could start discussion about indigenous notions of ownership and libraries as well as decolonizing museums. My final topic idea is Japan in American museums. This could go a variety of ways including misrepresentation of culture, traditional Japanese culture versus Japanese-American culture, the identity of Japanese Americans, Japanese American art from the American Internment camps during World War II, and Japanese immigrants in Hawaii. 

    All of these ideas are really broad and need to be filtered down a lot more. I'm working on formatting them in the x, y, z, statement from Turabian, Kate L., 2018. A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. 9th ed. Chicago; London: The University of Chicago Press. 

introduction

     Aloha! ʻO Alana koʻu inoa. He papa kiʻekiʻe o ka papa hale hōʻikeʻike a me ka papa huli kanaka wau. Aloha au i nā hale hōʻikeʻike mai koʻu wā liʻiliʻi. [translation from Hawaiian to English: Hello! My name is Alana. I am in the senior class of the Museum Studies course and the Anthropology course. I've loved museums since I was little.] 

    As a child, I would visit the Honolulu Zoo almost every week until I started elementary school. When I got a bit older I started to visit the Bishop Museum with my parents. The museum would host traveling exhibits periodically, and my favorite was the installation on dinosaurs. Since then, my interests in museums have evolved quite a bit. Although my first love was museums with living collections, in high school my fondness for art museums began. The Honolulu Museum of Art quickly became one of my favorite places to be. I'd try to go every month and sit in the gardens. I make a point to visit every time I'm able to travel home, even though the exhibits hardly change. Today, I definitely have a preference for art museums, but traditional history museums still hold a place in my heart, as Night at the Museums is still one of my favorite movies. 

    As for future ambitions, I'm interested in working as a curator or in the marketing department of an art museum. It's really important for communities to have local museums and in uncertain times like these a marketing department is vital for the survival of institutions like the Honolulu Museum of Art. So far, I've had experience working in an archive, registrar's office, and collections department. My work has been focused on cataloging collections and organizing them in an online finding aid as well as research assistance on deaccessioning projects regarding NAGPRA protocols. 

December 2019; Tokyo, Japan; During my vacation to Tokyo this past winter break, I visited teamLab Borderless and wandered through this Crystal World exhibit. The light in this installation reacts to the visitors in it, making it an interactive and constantly evolving piece of art. 

[Image Description: The above image is a color photograph. There is a young woman standing in front of a wall of hanging LED strip lights that are a white/blue color.]

Preserving the Physical through Digital Means

Hello again!

For my senior thesis, I am hoping to look at alternate means of preservation. The rapid growth of technology has allowed for many new opportunities in the fields of Public History and Museum Studies. Google has partnered with many historic sites and arts institutions so as to create digital renderings of their buildings and sculptures, all of which are viewable through Google Arts and Culture. Other museums have allowed for open-source renders of their artwork to be placed on the internet so that visitors and any curious person can view an artifact in detail within their home and, for those with the ability to, create their own small models. I feel as if these technologies as well as new ones widely open up the field of digital preservation. Digital preservation (and the use of facsimiles) allows for many artifacts to be kept well beyond their natural life span. The unfortunate nature of physical materials is that, regardless of the sturdiness of the medium through which the artifact was made, they will at some point or another suffer from deterioration and other damages.

I am hoping to be able to work on a project with a nearby museum that would allow me to digitally render and then recreate an artifact or a series of artifacts in their collection. Ideally, the artifact to be rendered would be a functional piece so the durability of the facsimile could be tested as well. The recreation of a damaged artifact would be incredibly interesting to work on as well. 

The topics I am interested would involve research into photogrammetry and 3D modeling. I would need to learn different methods of photographing an object that would keep the depth, the color, and the overall shape consistent with that of the original. After talking with a friend who works in 3D Design and another in Game Design and Development, I have a couple of ideas of software I could use for creating the render as well as several methods that would work well for photographing the artifact(s). There are specialized programs that allow for multiple images to be composited into a single 3D render while there are other programs that I am capable of using that would let me alter the original render to be more accurate to the original. After creating an accurate replica of the artifact in its present state, it would also be possible to create an alternate file that could be used to "restore" any damages to the artifact. Those same programs also allow for the exportation of the file as an object file which would make creation in a fabrication lab incredibly easy. The recreations would most likely occur through several stages as each physical recreation would reveal changes that need to be made to the digital file.