Field Notes from Museums and Gardens in Copenhagen
Part 2 in my project documentation series The Future of Natural History Museum Digital Archives
My project on the future of Natural History museum archives begins in our present, with field work on how people today relate to nature, museums, and biological specimens. I carried out expert interviews; observational research and interviews at Copenhagen’s family of Natural History Museums (Geology Museum, Zoology Museum and Botanical Garden); and collected observations and stories on people’s relationship to nature. In what follows I’ll share some of the key insights from my research, with reflections on associated opportunities for future designs of the digital Natural History Museum Archive.
Insights + Observations
1. For non-scientists, it’s hard to understand what makes museum specimens meaningful
From employees working in between the Geology Museum’s Butterfly Exhibit and the digitisation labs, I learned that there’s a gap between how experts vs. non-experts relate to specimens in Natural History Museums. One lab technician explained that scientists have a clear picture of how the extinction of one butterfly species relates to bigger changes happening on our planet. When a non-scientist looks at the specimen of a butterfly, they don’t realise that “it’s not about this butterfly species going extinct, it’s about the ripple effect the species extinction will have on the entire biosphere.”
2. People are curious to learn more about the butterfly’s world
Visitors at the Botanical Garden’s Butterfly House demonstrated an interest in the butterflies’ world. People tended to gravitate towards the plants that the butterflies were landing on, following the insects from flower to flower. A gardener working in the house explained to me that “sadly people don’t care as much about the plants. Except when the butterflies care about a plant. Then that becomes interesting.” Visitors also spent time looking at and discussing a display case filled with colourful cocoons. Carla*, a tourist visiting the botanical garden, said, “I wish I could know what it felt like in their cocoons.”
Visitors at the Geology Museum’s Butterfly exhibit also expressed an interest in knowing more about the butterfly’s world. I asked visitors leaving the exhibit about their experience. Anne, visiting the museum with her granddaughter, said, “I want to learn about where they come from and see how they live. ” Mads, visiting the museum with his kids, said, “it would be good to give more information on how [the butterflies] are in the wild.”
3. Searching for hidden insects and reptiles keeps families engaged
At the Butterfly House, families with young kids worked together to find and take pictures of the big blue butterfly. At the Botanical Garden’s Palm House, families helped each other spot hidden frogs and fish lurking in tropical ponds.
4. People want to do more than just look at specimens, they want to see them in new ways.
Visitors of the Butterfly Exhibit at the Geology Museum explained that they had a hard time feeling engaged by the specimens framed on the wall, and by the reading the reading material. Mikkel, visiting the museum with his partner, explained, “I spent time at the microscopes. It was cool to look at the wings up close and see all the details. But I didn’t spent a lot of time at the butterflies on the wall. Or reading the printed stuff. It would have been nice to have more interactive stuff around for us to explore.” Adult visitors of the (mostly kid-oriented) Zoology Museum were similarly engaged by a microscope that gave them an up-close view of insects fossilised in amber.
5. People’s relationship to nature is intertwined with memories and stories.
People’s relationship to nature is deeply connected to their memories and imagination. In the stories I collected, people tended to associate nature with a childhood memory or fantasy. Ana, a nurse, recalled, “The forest near my parent’s home is still holding all of the ideas and dreams I put there when I was growing up.” Tom, a student, said, “When I think of nature I think of feeling rushing water and imagining its power as a kid.” ‘
Opportunities
1. Storytelling connects the dots
Non-scientists lack the context to see meaning in individual specimens. What kind of framework or story would help people to connect the puzzle pieces?
2. Wild discovery
People are engaged when the setting allows for an experience of discovery. How can we introduce “wild discovery” and an element of unpredictability into the experience?
3. From static specimens to interactive experiences
People are engaged observers when they have hand-on control of the content they’re looking at. How can we translate specimen information and imagery into engaging interactive experiences?
4. Room for memory and meaning
People’s connection to nature is deeply personal. How can we leave room for memories and personal meaning in the experience of the Natural History digital archive?
*All names have been changed.
