ABSTRACT
Interactive media have transformed the practice of archaeological image making. Video games, mixed reality experiences and other emerging media forms have catalysed the development of new sensory languages of archaeology which blend image, sound and movement. Increasing use of these media for interpretation and data visualisation requires the development of new forms of embodied practice which transgress the virtual and the physical and which destabilise current understandings of the archaeological image.
This chapter will provide a critical evaluation of the emerging field of interactive archaeological representation. We will explore the ways in which creators are drawing upon Archaeology’s rich tradition of image making to respond to this new mode of representation. We will also examine intersections and parallels between archaeology and other disciplinary practices including those from theatre, media art and game design to identify new directions for archaeological practice.
Our analysis will consider specific challenges facing the current generation of archaeological image makers in adapting to the use of interactive media. We will interrogate two key provocations for image making; the perceived loss of framing and composition through immersion and the production and consumption of interactive experiences. Responding to these challenges we put forward a proposed radical future of co-production and participation in image-making practice.
