The Dilemma of finding Relevance | Sanchari

Before embarking on my journey from a small town in India to the capital of a European nation, I had thought that I had a clear idea of my research topic,of what I wanted to focus on during the course of my studies at CEU. But as it turns out, I was wrong to have assumed that digital documentation would only aid in the preservation and presentation of heritage - especially intangible heritage.


 I learnt from one of our professors, Christian Gaspar, during a very,VERY intriguing introductory lesson on the "Language,Communities and Heritage" Course,that digital documentation could,in many cases, bring about the complete obliteration of an aspect of intangible heritage instead of promoting it. That information was something completely new. That digital documentation and organised efforts to boost intangible heritage could actually have just the opposite outcome than was intended was something I had not thought of. It gave birth to new questions:

• Was digital documentation of intangible heritage actually beneficial for its protection ?
• Are there any alternatives to digitisation? In what way are they more efficient than digitisation?
• What are the problems associated with systematically digitising intangible heritage?(Dance forms,folk culture, music etc)
• In what way can digital documentation be used for the long-term conservation of intangible heritage?
  

Recently,while working on a written assignment, I came across an essay titled "Technology Fatigue in Digital Interactive Exhibitions", the author of which, Agatha Tsoroni, a visual artist and educator, analyses some of the shortcomings of digital exhibits and archives, including a repetitive and monotonous museum experience for visitors and operational defects( quality of screen display and stability of exhibits). Technology fatigue,which happens when visitors to a museum or an exhibition lose interest,or become weary of using digital tools after being constantly in contact with technology at the workplace or at home.This is a new theory which requires further exploration and research to provide insights into the sphere of digitisation.

Digital interactive tools,on the other hand,are one of the most versatile and innovative platforms to easily attract more visitors and entertain them. One brilliant example of the efficient use of digital tools in an exhibition is the Madach Memorial in the village of Csesztve,which the students of the Department of Medieval Studies at CEU visited during the academic field trip on 9th September.It showcases an excellent illustration of the life of Imre Madach, a renowned Hungarian poet,aristocrat,and writer,with a special focus on his masterpiece, "The Tragedy of Man". My first impression of the museum,after viewing the graphic exhibitions, the mini-stage for visitors to dress up and enact parts of the "Tragedy of Man", and the screens where they can watch videos of various adaptations of the play(headphones are free of charge) was, "Wow! What a superb way of presenting literature in a museum!" That being said, the question was, in what way the museum could be used as a primary research material to acquire a deeper understanding of presenting cultural heritage in an exhibition.
 Digital archives and virtual exhibition in museums are such a blessing, especially when it allows one to see the exhibits of a museum located thousands of miles away, in a different country or continent. Museums all over the world now have begun to update their websites, where users can get access to the digital archives, digital libraries and also visit the virtual collections ! It's truly a dream come true for heritage enthusiasts,as now they are just one click away from the archives of a museum.

The Museum of Ethnography in Budapest has gone beyond its traditional function of virtual exhibitions and online catalogues, and owns an online 'museum shop',where visitors can purchase museum publications,available both in Hungarian and English. The website of the museum contains detailed information(with images) of the previous exhibitions housed by the museum, a priceless boon both to the regular visitors and historians who perceive and study the history of museums as an impression of cultural antiquity. The website of the Budapest Museum of Ethnography, along with those of other renowned museums,like the Smithsonian and British museums, can be analysed to study how museums are evolving not only as educational institutions but also as commercial entities.Link to Museum shop of the Budapest Museum of Ethnography

In spite of all the advantages of digitising museum collections, It brings along quite a few problems in its wake. One of them is that it fails to create the sensation of being directly in touch with the real objects of the bygone era. It does not have the ambience, the 'real feel' of the past which a real museum exhibition provides.

The real challenge would be to find answers to all the questions and to approach all these issues with the correct and appropriate methodology(Vital) and to find a systematic way of getting on with my research.

As for now, my head is full of varying ideas and topics and I have yet to sort them and organise my thoughts in the lines of a thesis topic. I hope to learn more and get a clear vision of my thesis proposal in the near future. Till then, fingers crossed!