One place of thought is in Cameron’s quote on pg. 87 ‘Curators need to consider the writing of text in the context of constructivist approaches to learning and to engage users in the cycle of knowledge making’ (2005). Though this comment refers to the textual documentation of objects and collections, it seems relevant to explore in connection to the new media conversation we are joining. By referring to Vgotsky (1997) on Constructivist learning, the process of heightening awareness of an experience provides more opportunities to understand content through personal deductions (based on how the individual experiences their awareness). Does Cameron mean that creative and novel written descriptions will better engage audiences? How does text compare or compete with the availability of media in the descriptive and narrative experience? Can the concreteness of factual information be conveyed without text, but through a media experience? How important is the text, aside from the Unassailable Voice? And a further tangent, could media replace the Unassailable Voice with an Unassailable View? Or Unassailable Touch?
It seems to me that its great for the public to engage in ‘knowledge making’, and to consider the place of text in that process. Especially the use of text to heighten awareness of the current experience and the experiences of the object in question. The combination of text with visuals to develop an experience has vast possibilities to construct perspectives, narratives and knowledge. However I’m still confused if it is a call to explore how traditional uses of text can be sustained in the face of media, in the place of media or in the connecting of media, narrative, facts and perspectives.
Vygotsky, L. S. (1997). Educational psychology. Boca Raton, FL:, St. Lucie Press. (Original work published 1926)