Visual Exploration of Australian Prints and Printmaking

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    Abstract

    The Australian Prints and Printmaking website (printsandprintmaking.gov.au) provides a gateway for information on printed images from Australia and Pacific region. The website contains rich data on more than 48,000 works; 20,000 artists, 8000 exhibitions, 3000 galleries and over 9000 associated references. The works are predominantly from the National Gallery of Australia’s collection. Access to this vast collection has traditionally been through a search based interface. This paper will present a set of recently launched experimental interfaces that encourage open-ended exploration within this collection. These novel web based tools aim to support exploration, discovery and interpretation in this culturally significant collection. They draw upon previous work with archival and museum collections and demonstrate alternatives to the dominant search-based paradigm of collection access. These tools encourage discovery by emphasising relationships within the collection and providing displays that are denser and richer than conventional web pages. In setting out to create rich visual interfaces to a large digital collection, the project uncovers a number of challenges and considerations. It operates in a field between dynamic web design and online visualisation, where techniques and practices are still forming. A “data dense” display challenges conventions of API development, while delivering in the browser presents both opportunities and risks. This work is part of a conceptual context that Mitchell Whitelaw characterises as ‘generous interfaces’. Whitelaw argues that ‘the task-based paradigm embedded in information retrieval is increasingly out of step with our ever-more-ubiquitous, casual, and everyday experiences of information systems’. This view is shared by Marian Dörk, who introduced the ‘Information Flaneur’ model as an alternative approach to task-based information seeking, one that leads to more positive information experiences. The ‘information flaneur’ is able to curiously and critically move through information landscapes and creatively construct meaning as they go. The leisurely curiosity of information seeking is increasingly important and we value play and pleasure in support of engagement and discovery
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationMuseums and the Web 2013
    EditorsNancy Proctor, Rich Cherry
    Place of PublicationSilver Spring
    PublisherMuseums and the Web
    Pages1-15
    Number of pages15
    Volume1
    ISBN (Print)9780985227128
    Publication statusPublished - 2013
    EventMW2013: Museums and the Web 2013 - Portland, Portland, United States
    Duration: 17 Apr 201320 Apr 2013

    Publication series

    NameMuseums and the Web, MW2013
    PublisherMuseums and the Web
    ISSN (Print)1558-9609

    Conference

    ConferenceMW2013: Museums and the Web 2013
    Country/TerritoryUnited States
    CityPortland
    Period17/04/1320/04/13
    OtherMuseums and the Web is an annual conference featuring advanced research and exemplary applications of digital practice for cultural, natural and scientific heritage. Formed by leading professionals from around the world, our community has been meeting since 1997. The products of our meetings and conversations – the MW proceedings, Best of the Web archives and discussion Forum – are an unparalleled resource for museum workers, technologists, students and researchers that grows every year

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