ABSTRACT
Artistic research has intrinsic characteristics that seem to resonate well with educational theories that encourage personal and creative enquiry. This chapter focuses on examples of situations in which museum visitors are somehow actively involved in the artistic process itself, either through an “encouraged” interpretation of the artwork, an interaction with an art-based exhibit, participation in an artistic research/performance or through the direct making of an imaginative product. The institution becomes a space where artists and scientists are invited to ‘think of the gallery as a two-way dialogue that can contribute to their research, influence their practice, and be more than an instance of “selfless” public outreach’. The chapter presents practical examples of techniques and experiences where art and science merge to create an emotional connection with a scientific topic, to reinforce learning through personal understanding or direct interaction, to give space to individual voices while facilitating cooperative work.
