Sentimental Education. Sound and Silence at History Museums

Abstract

Using an interdisciplinary approach, this article analyses the uses of sound and silence in three Polish history museums: POLIN – Museum of the History of Polish Jews, the Warsaw Rising Museum and the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow’s exhibition Krakow under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945. It argues that in these museums sounds and silence serve a sentimental education. They are used both to transmit historical knowledge in a sensorial way and to affectively engage visitors. Diegetic sounds thereby generally serve the transmission of historical knowledge, whereas non-diegetic sounds are used as affective triggers. In tis way, a sonic immersion is achieved that induces visitors to feel as if they were in the past as well as inviting them to emotionally engage with this past.

A Curatorial Guide to Museum Sound Design

“…Historians have traced the evolution of museum sound strategies and applications (Cluett ; Mansell ; Rich ). Scholars have developed thoughtful ways of theorizing the role of sound in relation to narrative, atmospherics, and other museum elements (Zisiou ; Forrest ; Bubaris ; Voegelin ; Cox ; de Jong ). And museum professionals have presented practical advice for incorporating and mitigating sound at the level of the individual exhibition (Stocker ; Fry ; Dimond ; Weatherhead ; Boon ; Bijsterveld 2015a; Monti and Keene ).…”

Can Sound Overcomes Challenges and Boost Students Creativity?

“…Therefore, students use personal private sound control via headsets, to mitigate the perceived deficiencies of such environs which referred to as "Soundscape". In 1934, the term 'muzak' was coined by Wired Radio Inc., which began to deliver ambient music to commercial clients [1]. Muzak refers to the background music used in public spaces which, it is claimed, will improve individuals' mood, increase productivity among employees, or stimulate consumers' need to make a purchase [1,2].…”

“…In 1934, the term 'muzak' was coined by Wired Radio Inc., which began to deliver ambient music to commercial clients [1]. Muzak refers to the background music used in public spaces which, it is claimed, will improve individuals' mood, increase productivity among employees, or stimulate consumers' need to make a purchase [1,2]. Research into learning environments has stated that background music can be useful in creating a positive learning environment that assists students' task persistence and productivity.…”