Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book examines how the use of technology can bring to public attention works that have been omitted from museum collections, presents hitherto underrepresented histories, and stimulate the study of new connections between artists, dealers, and the circulation of art object. It shows that museums can no longer be understood as single “sites” but rather as visual, discursive, and virtual environments supported by a range of digital platforms. The book reflects critically on the creation and use of digital surrogates and the limitations of experiencing artifacts in virtual or augmented reality. It contains, therefore, methodological guidance ranging from how to use and maximize the potential of particular technologies to the identification of pitfalls when implementing such approaches.