Paper Short Abstract:

Digital mediation transforms museum storytelling, breaking colonial and patriarchal narratives. Interactive technologies decentralize authority, amplify marginalized voices, and promote inclusive, multi-perspective storytelling for a richer engagement with cultural heritage.

Paper Abstract:

The practice of ‘unwriting’ in museums opens up a space for critical reflection on the way in which museum narratives are constructed, consolidated and perceived by audiences. This talk will look at how digital tools can be used to deconstruct historically established museum narratives, which are often aligned with elitist, Western or patriarchal perspectives, and to promote more inclusive and participatory approaches.

Today, digital technology offers a range of tools for recomposing museum discourse by making it more flexible and interactive. Devices such as augmented reality, interactive interfaces and mobile applications facilitate the integration of diverse voices and perspectives, introducing alternative narratives that challenge hegemonic interpretations of collections. By promoting plural and sometimes dissonant narratives, these digital approaches pave the way for a more dynamic mediation experience, where visitors can actively contribute to redefining the meanings of heritage.

Through an analysis of innovative digital mediation projects, this talk will highlight how the process of ‘de-writing’ not only makes it possible to question traditional modes of narration, but also to reconstruct a space in which museum heritage is seen as a place for dialogue, shared memory and inclusion. This helps to develop the museum's mission as a space for collective reflection and social transformation.