Expositionsforschung

Expositionsforschung, or exposition research, is a field of study dedicated to understanding the nature, purpose, and impact of exhibitions and expositions. This interdisciplinary area draws on insights from art history, museology, sociology, cultural studies, communication studies, and design. Researchers in this field analyze various forms of exhibitions, from art museum displays to large-scale international fairs and trade shows.

The core objective of expositionsforschung is to deconstruct how exhibitions are created, curated, and presented, and how audiences engage with and interpret them. This involves examining the selection of objects or themes, the spatial arrangement, the use of multimedia, and the overall narrative constructed by the exhibition designers. It also investigates the social, cultural, and economic contexts in which expositions are conceived and experienced, considering their roles in education, entertainment, propaganda, and nation-building.

Key areas of inquiry within expositionsforschung include the history of exhibitions, the theories of display, the psychology of visitor experience, the ethics of representation, and the marketing and communication strategies employed. By studying past and present expositions, researchers aim to develop best practices for future exhibition design and to critically assess the power dynamics and ideological underpinnings inherent in presenting information and artifacts to the public. The field contributes to a deeper understanding of how societies communicate their values, histories, and aspirations through the curated display of tangible and intangible heritage.