Touching, not Touchable, Experiences

I was speaking with someone recently about my work and said I develop "interactive experiences and environments." To which they immediately responded, "Oh, so you make hands-on exhibits."

Well, yes and no.  Certainly many, if not most, of the things I help create involve tactile elements.

But there are some very compelling museum experiences that are never meant to be touched by visitors.

Optical illusions (like those shown throughout this post) are examples of "touching, not touchable" (TNT) experiences, that I would still characterize as "interactive."

"Touching" in the emotional reaction sense, and "Interactive" in the sense of "things influencing or having an effect on other things."

Other museum experiences I would place in the "touching, not touchable" category include dioramas, dollhouses, and similar miniature models and environments.  All these TNTs also tend to slow people down and reward them for careful observation. In the case of dioramas and dollhouses, visitors often mentally "step inside" those exhibits as they experience them.

I'd say any exhibit-driven museum experience (whether it's called "interactive" or not) that can get visitors to slow down, be rewarded for careful observation, and respond emotionally is just the type of thing I like to make for museums and like to experience inside museums myself.

What got me thinking about Optical Illusions, TNT, and Interactives in the first place is this super interesting (and interactive!) website called, "151 Visual Phenomena & Optical Illusions

with explanations"   Definitely worth checking out!

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Paul Orselli writes the posts on ExhibiTricks. Paul likes to combine interesting people, ideas, and materials to make exhibits (and entire museums!) with his company POW! (Paul Orselli Workshop, Inc.) Let's work on a project together!

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Exhibit Design Inspiration:Math Is Beautiful

Two often underutilized ways to spruce up any exhibit area are to include items related to mathematics and optical illusions. Both subjects have demonstrated "holding times" for visitors and can often be developed inexpensively.

A recent article about an exhibition of mathematical art (including the example from Michael Field, above) highlighted both the beauty and science, visible in every selection. There must be a blank wall or other suitable space in your museum that could benefit from such an image.

Often times we think of math and illusion images as only 2D, but one of my favorite websites, suitably titled "Grand Illusions" shows how mathematics and optical illusions can become 3D interactive objects or toys. The Grand Illusions site also contains an online shop where you can purchase many of the items shown.

How have you used math or illusion inside your museum? Share your ideas in the Comments Section below!