博物館互動式展示之思與辨

Thinking and Comparison of Interactive Exhibits in Museums

日新月異的科技發展，促使博物館的展示呈現出新穎且多元的面貌。有越來越多的博物館展示強調「互動式」的設計，期望帶給觀眾更多的體驗與學習。然而，何謂「互動式」（interactive）展示？與「參與式」（participatory）及「動手做」（hands-on）展示又有何區別？在博物館界裏卻有許多迷思，將它們混淆使用。本文試圖以展示實例及圖表比較分析，盼能釐清它們之間的異同，而這樣的釐清將有助於展示作業之溝通與展示知識領域的擴充，及博物館展示設計層次發想的提昇。其次，在互動式展示成為博物館展示設計新寵的同時，卻也常出現一些令人擔憂的問題，例如：忘了展示的目的，為互動而互動；展示缺乏親和力，觀眾不知如何操作；忽略了展示的人體工學，致使觀眾操作困難或不舒適。究竟，博物館互動式展示之目的何在？互動式展示的設計要點為何？本文亦將進一步分析探討。總而言之，博物館的互動式展示強調觀眾與展品間交互對等的激發與回饋，與參與式、動手做之展示概念有顯著差異，博物館工作者應該有所思辨。而互動式展示也絕非博物館展示的萬靈丹，一個成功的互動式展示，必須具有親和力，讓觀眾方便使用、容易操作、舒適安全，且能有效的傳遞展示理念與訊息，引發觀眾的思考與學習。如此，博物館的展示方有助於觀眾知識的增長、觀念的釐清及態度的啟發，進而為博物館注入新生命。

Fast-changing technologies lead to a great diversity of exhibit modes in museum. More and more exhibits have been designed and emphasized in interactive-oriented ways that hope audiences could experience and learn more. But, what is the “interactive” exhibit exactly? How to differentiate it from “participatory” and “handson” exhibits? There are a lot of misunderstandings and misusages in museum. This article attempts to make a comparison by examples, charts and graphs that may differentiate the features in these three modes. It may help smooth exhibit design communication, extend the view of exhibit knowledge, and upgrade exhibit design quality in museum. Secondly, as the interactive exhibit becoming a new favorite, some disturbing problems are as following. For instance, neglecting the main purpose of exhibition, only because wanting it to be interactive; lack of user-friendly installation, makes audiences difficulties in manipulating; overlook the ergonomics in exhibit, lead to discomfort for audiences. After all, what is the purpose for interactive exhibits in museum? What are the principles in interactive exhibit design? This paper will address it further. In sum, the interactive exhibits of museum emphasize on the inspiration and feedback between audiences and installations back and forth, which is totally different from the concept of “participatory” and “hands-on” modes. Museum staff must have a clear comprehension on it. However, interactive exhibit is not a cure-all. A successful interactive exhibit must be user-friendly, comfortable, and safe in use; it delivers the messages and exhibit concepts effectively, and inspires audiences to think and learn. Therefore, the exhibit of museum can help audiences get knowledge, clear concepts, and inspire attitudes. Furthermore, it could bring new vitality in museum.