ABSTRACT
This chapter offers a glimpse into the effect of the museum exhibition as ‘museological laboratory’ on visitors’ learning and enjoyment. It demonstrates that, as long as it is backed by sound ethical principles, taking an unconventional and potentially controversial approach, though unpopular in some quarters, can provide an enlightening and rewarding experience for visitors and the institution. The interpretation strategy was guided by a public consultation exercise with the terms of engagement clearly explained on the day – that no promise could be made to include all the consultees’ suggestions. ‘Experimental’ and provocative exhibition-making practice in museums is viewed by some as self-indulgent navel gazing, a sop to political correctness, of no benefit to visitors and a waste of public money. Linguistic analysis of the personal meaning maps revealed the depth of visitors’ engagement with the exhibition and subject matter.
