"Instagram: a popular example of the potent combination of smartphones with cameras and constant access to social media."
From a student perspective, being able to read an academic study about how an application that I use on a daily basis impacts individuals on a new level is creative, opportunistic and innovative for the Manship School. I was able to participate in "Instagram at the Museum" this past summer in California while at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art during an internship I did with Kaiser Permanente. I was not asked to instragram paintings I viewed, but love social media and was able to connect with other LACMA art viewers through an easy portal.
For those that are lost, 'Instagram at the Museum' is the concept of taking pictures of art with personal smartphones while at museums and posting them onto social media platforms such as instagram to connect with the museum's audience and better share thoughts and memories.
Visitor learning at museums has become a primary concern for museums and the recent engagement in social media has created a new outlet for visitors.
Hillman, Jungselius & Weilenmann from the University of Gothenburg in France created one of the very few academic studies on Instagram in particular. As one of the first reports on social photography, the authors of this study were able to delve into a fairly new concept: 'everyday journalism.'
The previous tradition of museum goers using technology to better interact with museum pieces has long existed with audio guides that share details to pieces as visitors walk through museums.
"With instagram, users have the opportunity to communicate their experiences through both choice of photo subject & ways they choose to manipulate and represent them."
Below are the most reported features that Instagram at the Museum have impacted the traditional museum atmosphere:
1. Tagging: This directs photos into a certain type of image stream or photographic conversation. It allows for later review and communication for organizational or social purposes.
2. Reminiscing and Storytelling: Using direct images that are personally selected by viewers allows for more memories and analysis to be shared.
3. Instagram Manipulation: Filters, frames & lenses create different forms of aesthetic presentation and allow for the art to be interpreted in completely new ways for all viewers with access to the internet.
4. Instagram Application Programming Interface (API): Allows for third-party developers to create desktop, web-based & mobile applications that give users access to features not initially offered by the official mobile applications
For those that are lost, 'Instagram at the Museum' is the concept of taking pictures of art with personal smartphones while at museums and posting them onto social media platforms such as instagram to connect with the museum's audience and better share thoughts and memories.
Visitor learning at museums has become a primary concern for museums and the recent engagement in social media has created a new outlet for visitors.
Hillman, Jungselius & Weilenmann from the University of Gothenburg in France created one of the very few academic studies on Instagram in particular. As one of the first reports on social photography, the authors of this study were able to delve into a fairly new concept: 'everyday journalism.'
The previous tradition of museum goers using technology to better interact with museum pieces has long existed with audio guides that share details to pieces as visitors walk through museums.
"With instagram, users have the opportunity to communicate their experiences through both choice of photo subject & ways they choose to manipulate and represent them."
Below are the most reported features that Instagram at the Museum have impacted the traditional museum atmosphere:
1. Tagging: This directs photos into a certain type of image stream or photographic conversation. It allows for later review and communication for organizational or social purposes.
2. Reminiscing and Storytelling: Using direct images that are personally selected by viewers allows for more memories and analysis to be shared.
3. Instagram Manipulation: Filters, frames & lenses create different forms of aesthetic presentation and allow for the art to be interpreted in completely new ways for all viewers with access to the internet.
4. Instagram Application Programming Interface (API): Allows for third-party developers to create desktop, web-based & mobile applications that give users access to features not initially offered by the official mobile applications
The report itself went into depth of the analysis of instagram practices at a museum of natural history. It discussed the connection of instagram posts and shared experiences through objects found at the museum. The article also went on to discuss what and how practices imply for the engagement between visitors, and science centers and museums--to suggest ways to extend the dialogue beyond an institution's physical location. Speaking as a student that has actually participated in the activity, I can only positively vouch for the entertaining and innovative experience that is not traditionally shared during a museum visit. Instagramming at a museum has no age or time limit, the convince of saved tags and hashtags allow for new visitors to share views and comments on timeless art. This is definitely a new activity that will allow for more younger audiences to get engaged in art and science through a means that their age is already accustomed to. |