Supervisors: Associate Prof. Suzie Attiwill (RMIT) and Prof. Luisa Collina (POLIMI)
Project 1: Cultural institutions & the digital
There have been significant changes in contemporary design practice including shifts from material to digital artefacts, new modes of designing with data, and the emergence of digital universes such as Metaverse. What is the impact of these on the future of the cultural institution, its exhibition environment and visitor experience? How critical are physical spaces and material encounters? What is the potential of XR and AI in relation to the future space of cultural institutions?
Project 2: Cultural institutions & social innovation
Addressing one of the contemporary roles of cultural institutions as promoters – through culture, art and creativity – of forms and processes of social innovation. How can cultural institutions engage citizens, communities, institutions, and associations in promoting social innovation? How can they expand their audience? How can they attract new generations and new visitors? How can they engage with them in an ongoing conversation?
Project 3: Cultural institutions & sustainability
Due to the short life of exhibitions, events and performances and the difficulty in finding low environmental impact solutions, temporary events seem to be at odds with an agenda of environmental sustainability. How can temporary events – which make such a significant contribution to the vitality of cultural institutions – move towards more sustainable solutions, formats, and practices? How can design, service design, digital technologies, new materials and processes shape this transformation?
