More interviews: Make an event of it
This time we went out to interview people in Lima’s Parque de la Exposición, in the centre of the city, popular with residents, and situated just under the shadow of one of its most important museums, the MALI.
Nonetheless, the vast majority of those we spoke to had not visited a museum since an obligatory school trip. Those who had visited museums and archaeological sites generally found them difficult to understand and uninspiring.
It was frequently difficult to get much insight and people largely had little to say. However, with the questions simplified after our last attempt, we did connect with several people, and the results were illuminating:
- Museums are always there and always the same. Why go this weekend if I can go next year (or never)? People are inspired to visit something when there is a sense of event, of urgency — when they know something is new and availability is limited.
- People want to be led back to the past and experience it in a vibrant way. Tour guides and museums often assume prior knowledge and fail to engage people’s curiosity. Storytelling, costumes, performances and seeing everyday objects in use were memorable and appealing, and interviewees recounted such experiences to us in enthusiastic detail. Even better if you can take away a souvenir and feel you own a piece of ancient every day life.
- Life is stressful. People want to relax. They like to go to the park, play sport, cook or go out with family and friends, because they want to let go of the stresses of everyday life and breath in some fresh air. Museums, on the other hand, seem stiff and unwelcoming. How can we make experiencing heritage as comfortable and relaxing as visiting your local park?
Next up, we’ll be exploring in greater depth one area of the city and starting to plan out the details of our project. Let us know your thoughts and get in touch if you’d like to be involved! museowaka@gmail.com
