MCN2015

Social media platforms, and Instagram in particular, are becoming a vital method of engagement between museums and thier visitors. But, how might museums harness these applications in new and inventive ways? Can, and should, social media be used as an in-gallery interpretive tool?

Man Ray­­­­­: Human Equations, a recent special exhibition at The Phillips Collection in Washington, DC, explored a little known element of the artist Man Ray’s career: his photographs and paintings of academic mathematical models which examined the intersection of art and math. Working collaboratively with curatorial and communications colleagues, educators at the Phillips sought a participatory experience that would allow visitors connect Man Ray’s artistic to their own creative photographic practice. Using 3D printed mathematical models, a few iPods, and Instagram, InstaManRay was created.Accessible through their own mobile device or an iPod in the gallery, visitors frame their composition, snap a photo, apply a filter or add other effects before posting their creation with #InstaManRay. Visitors using their own devices can post to their personal social media accounts, and those using in-gallery iPods can post to an Instagram account created for the special exhibition and managed by Phillips Collection staff, InstaManRay2015.

This session will explore the successes and challenges of using a social media platform as an in-gallery interpretive experiences. Presenters will share ways they implemented and evaluated InstaManRay as well as possible applications for the future. This case study will offer a new way of looking at a well-explored social media app, providing ideas for creating digital in-gallery experiences in new ways.