The visitor experience of exhibitions. How contemporary art, the host space, and the visitor relate to each other.

Abstract

Understanding where exhibition visitors focus their attention during a visit and how they navigate the exhibition space provides valuable insights into the emergent relationships among individuals, artworks, and the environment where the show takes place. Having a greater understanding of the kinds of relationships established within an exhibition space can help in designing exhibitions that harmoniously integrate the space, the works, and the experience of the visitor. To explore these dynamics, we use direct observation of the Conclave Chapel of the Abbazia di San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, an historical space containing contemporary artworks by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. This, to observe and analyze viewers' movements, attention dynamics and interactions with the artworks and with other people in the room. Two questionnaires, administered to visitors before and after their visit, are used to gain further insights into their interests and impressions, and to identify the elements that attracted the most their attention.