Exhibitus

Exhibitus is a term used in museology and information design to describe the strategy of presenting objects or data in a way that foregrounds interpretive practices and audience engagement. The approach emphasizes transparency about provenance and the interpretive choices made by curators, inviting viewers to participate in meaning-making rather than accepting a single authoritative narrative.

Etymology: The term derives from Latin exhibitus, the perfect passive participle of exhibere, meaning "shown" or "displayed." It is used metaphorically in contemporary scholarship to discuss display practices.

Definition and scope: Exhibitus encompasses material displays, digital interfaces, and oral or textual labels arranged to reveal evidentiary trajectories, uncertainties, and alternatives. Key features include layered contextualization, provenance notes, and interactive affordances that allow users to manipulate or query the display.

Applications: It has been applied in museum galleries to reframe authority in interpretation, in online collections to encourage critical engagement, and in data visualization projects that aim to show processes, not just results.

History: While the literal Latin form has long existed in scholarly language, the modern usage of exhibitus as a described approach emerged in 21st-century discourse on open-ended curation and participatory exhibits. It aligns with movements toward transparency, open science, and audience-driven narratives.