Hello Museum-L!

Very interesting reflections from Alan Heaberlin and others about the effect of audio tours on the behaviour of visitors in galleries. I also think, from a visitor's point of view, that either you enjoy audio tours or you don't. Needless to say, the use of audio guides should be kept optional whatever the setting!

But while lenghty and traditional, "one-way communication" between an active (recorded) speaker on the one hand and a passive listener on the other, may indeed inhibit the individual and subjective appreciation of works of art, I personally find audio guides very suitable for interpreting historical buildings, cultural and even natural sites.

As we all know, to the general visitor, the underlying cultural, economical, aesthetical, physical, technical, ideological and social factors which have shaped human life and the built environment, may not be so evident or "readable" in ruined remains or in empty buildings. As it probably would be to a trained specialist on the subject or an academical person - or any other person with specialist knowledge, for that matter.

Trying to convey some of these complex factors, but still keeping it on a digestable level (assuming we're talking public access here)- calls for special attention when it comes to interpretation. That is, telling a story of history.

Enter audioguides! By using recording dramatized storylines, with actors' voices, music and sound/ambiance you may "paint" an aural picture of the historical setting, the people, the lives of the specific historical site, "making the walls come alive".

A succesfully produced aduio guide "draws in" the visitor to the story of the site, triggers the imagination and can create a more vivid picture in the visitor's mind, rather than only displaying panels of texts and images on the history of a old building. Chances are that the visitor's experience will be enhanced.
If you're lucky, you might even be able to tell captivating stories with audio guides (rather than just supplying "facts") about the art and period of Mondrian or even Van Gogh.

One of the best audio tours I have experienced was at Castle Rising [formerly managed by English Heritage] near King's Lynn in England. The guide was both engaging, well dramatized and easy to use thanks to clear and consistant instructions in the headphones as you walked through the building.

But not only ancient history benefits from the use of audio guides. Personally I believe sound will become an important factor when it comes to documenting and presenting the heritage of the industrial age; it's machines and factories. What could be better when we will try to imagine the noise, vibrations and athmosphear of the old factories?

Erm, if you're still reading - this message became too long as usual! :-).

Paul Henningsson
Sweden
(freelance producer of heritage and
cultural mulitmedia)

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