In all honesty, my expectations of the Albert Kahn Museum were rather low, especially attending the day after the Musee d’Orsay. We had read an article about his life and works that I did not think I would find anything new, but I was proven so wrong. Not only was the content in the museum interesting but the presentation complimented it perfectly. Specifically, the interactive presentation of the archives was my personal favorite. Something about moving the screen long the different sections and controlling the experience was enjoyable from a viewer's standpoint. I felt so engaged with the narrative being told and think that the tactile experience is responsible for that. Although using screens and modern technology in exhibits diverges from the traditional “white box” aesthetic I feel as though this presentation style may be the future of museums. After all, audiences of today's museums are used to technology delivering content to them. From communication to entertainment to information, we rely on screens as a vehicle for images. It only makes sense that museums will naturally evolve with this lifestyle. One benefit of incorporating touchscreens into galleries is that it is easy to display text in a variety of languages. Curators no longer have to decide what language to put the labels in because screens allow viewers to make that choice. Not to mention, providing more languages will make the information within the exhibit more accessible and appeal to a larger audience. Another aspect that complimented the use of technology was the fact that the screens were integrated within the content. For example, the smaller de-attached exhibit in the garden utilized this well. By referencing the trunks that camera equipment was packed in for travel, the gallery fused screens, brass behind glass, and pictures from the archives in a beautiful way. This goes to show that curators do not have to choose between technology and content, but rather they can utilize both in a way that is mutually beneficial.
Seeing the Kahn museum in relation to the Musee d’Orsay, it is clear that one has experimented with modern technology more than the other. Although the Orsay does fit the traditional art museum mold with classic impressionist paintings and marble flooring and walls, I did see some effort of the Orsay to modernize as the Kahn museum has successfully done. In the Gaudí exhibit, there was a screen viewers could manipulate to explore some of his architectural designs. I noticed that the screen was quite popular with a large crowd around it. This goes to show that viewers like familiar experiences. Now, this is not to say that museums will reflect modern life so much that they become covered with screens — that would defeat the purpose of an art museum — but I feel as though there needs to be a happy medium found. I do not think that the Orsay will ever look like the Khan museum; however, I do believe that these traditional museums will make a more conscious effort to subtly include technology since that is such a large part of life today. If incorporated seamlessly, viewers will surely get more out of their visit.