Date of Award
Spring 6-1-2024
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Design (MDes) in Interior Studies / Exhibition + Narrative Environments
Department
Interior Architecture
First Advisor
Jeffrey Katz
Second Advisor
Jonathan Bell
Third Advisor
Jehanzeb Shoaib
Abstract
Museums, adept at collecting and documenting tangible artifacts from the past, often struggle to connect the ways these tangible artifacts relate to living culture within contemporary life. There has been a growing recognition of the importance of preserving intangible heritage, as these are the assets which requires ongoing community engagement and interaction for their preservation and development.
However, current attempts to exhibit cultural practices, rituals, and traditions mimic those used for tangible artifacts, limiting the potential for dynamic displays due to the inherently different nature of objects and actions. This raises the question: What should exhibitions for such cultural phenomena look like?
This thesis proposes leveraging museum stores and F&B (Food and Beverage) spaces as platforms for showcasing intangible heritage. By utilizing the inherent potential of these spaces, such as sensory engagement, storytelling, and cultural immersion, this thesis aims to promote the preservation and recognition of intangible heritage as a vibrant cultural phenomenon, in so doing bridging historical value and contemporary life.
This thesis will (1) Analyze existing museum amenities such as museum store and F&B (2) Conduct research on the values, forms, and examples of intangible heritage (3) Establish connections between these spaces and cultural narrative, applying them to the designated site.
This thesis will be tested through a series of interventions within the National Museum of Korea, an institution dedicated to preserving Korean cultural heritage, enhancing public enjoyment, and fostering cultural appreciation.
By demonstrating the applicability of this strategy within national museums, this thesis aims to contribute to the understanding and development of intangible heritage display environments. Through the integration of intangible heritage into museum experiences, visitors are not only educated about the past but also encouraged to recognize the continued relevance and vibrancy of cultural traditions in their own lives.
Recommended Citation
Park, Eunji, "-ing: Heritage as a Verb" (2024). Masters Theses. 1329.
https://digitalcommons.risd.edu/masterstheses/1329
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