Engaging object visitor encounters at the museum: a phenomenological approach Thesis submitted for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy at the University of Leicester by Oonagh Quigley School of Museum Studies University of Leicester March 2019 Contents Abstract ............................................................................................................................. 1 Acknowledgements .......................................................................................................... 2 List of figures ..................................................................................................................... 3 List of tables ...................................................................................................................... 4 Chapter One: Looking at Engagement .............................................................................. 5 Preamble ....................................................................................................................... 5 Research aim and objectives ......................................................................................... 6 Research background .................................................................................................... 8 Structure of this thesis ................................................................................................ 27 Chapter Two: Framework to research engaging object encounters .............................. 31 Overview ..................................................................................................................... 31 Alternatives to phenomenology ................................................................................. 31 The selected framework ............................................................................................. 36 Heidegger and object manifestation .......................................................................... 43 Merleau-Ponty and embodiment ............................................................................... 50 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 55 Chapter Three: Methodology ......................................................................................... 56 Overview ..................................................................................................................... 56 Methodology development ........................................................................................ 56 Testing methodology .................................................................................................. 64 Interview questions ..................................................................................................... 67 Final fieldwork ............................................................................................................. 74 Data analysis................................................................................................................ 83 Reflections ................................................................................................................... 87 Conclusion ................................................................................................................... 93 Chapter Four: Findings .................................................................................................... 94 Overview ..................................................................................................................... 94 General responses ....................................................................................................... 97 Analysis with phenomenological lens ....................................................................... 109 Characteristics of engagement ................................................................................. 123 Engaging and unengaging experiences ..................................................................... 133 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 139 Chapter Five: Characteristics of engaging object visitor encounters ........................... 140 Overview ................................................................................................................... 140 Characteristics of engagement ................................................................................. 140 General engaging experience .................................................................................... 152 General engaging experience and the characteristics of engagement .................... 153 Conclusion ................................................................................................................. 157 Chapter Six: Engaging object visitor encounters and beyond ...................................... 158 Beginning ................................................................................................................... 158 Responding to research aim ..................................................................................... 158 Contributions............................................................................................................. 163 Reflections ................................................................................................................. 173 Future research ......................................................................................................... 177 End? ........................................................................................................................... 179 Appendix ....................................................................................................................... 181 Bibliography .................................................................................................................. 184 Abstract Engaging object visitor encounters at the museum: a phenomenological approach by Oonagh Quigley The focus of this PhD is engagement. In museum studies literature, there is a problematic absence of substantive analysis of immediate visitor responses to objects. To address this gap, I propose the investigation of object visitor encounters using a particular phenomenological approach. Centred on semi-structured interviews undertaken in a museum, the thesis: 1) explores and develops the consideration of engaging object encounters from a phenomenological, and specifically a Heideggerian, stance, and 2) examines whether or not ‘engagement’ can be characterised from fieldwork-derived descriptions of an exhibition experience. Beginning with an argument for the relevance of a phenomenological research approach, the process of creating an interview instrument for museum visitors inspired by phenomenology is outlined. In particular, Martin Heidegger’s arguments on object manifestation and Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s reflections on embodiment are applied. A phenomenological lens combined with grounded theory is used to analyse 30 interviews undertaken with visitors at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum. I found that a phenomenological investigation was useful for exploring visitor engagement. While a Heideggerian approach was not directly applicable in the field, the phenomenological approach was successful in revealing characteristics of engagement in object encounters. I also found that engagement descriptions can be partially derived from fieldwork-derived descriptions of an exhibition experience. The characteristics that the research demonstrated to be associated with an engaging object encounter include: the object manifesting in a way that evokes reflection from the visitor; the visitor feeling positive about touching the object; and the visitor imagining embodiments of the object, specifically how it was made, how it was used, or the people that interacted with the object. Finally, the potential application of these characteristics to museum practice is explored. Throughout the thesis the use of phenomenology is reflected upon, and its application in the museum field is considered. This thesis contributes to research-led practice as it encourages application of the characteristics of engagement in an effort to create exhibitions that will enhance real-life visitor engagement. 1 Acknowledgements This endeavour would not have been possible without the support of my Mam, Dad, sisters Niamh, Cliona and Emer, and their partners, nieces and nephews and all Irish aunts, uncles and cousins. In England, I had Leicester support from the Lansdowne team, especially Charlotte, Jack, Jess, and Steve as well as the sanctuary of Tara’s place down in London. I also had my cheerleading squad in Australia of Caroline, Jana, Michelle S, Sarah and the ones that came to visit me, Alex and Tom, Iain, Jane and Lauren, Michelle K, Mick, Soroya, and Tiffany. I wish to acknowledge the Museum of Liverpool and the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum for allowing me to undertake fieldwork at their sites, especially Kelvingrove for being so efficient at obtaining copyright clearance for images. At the School of Museum Studies, I had the support and ear of Bob, Christine, Isobel, Nuala, Rob, Ross, Sheila, Simon, Stacy, and Richard. A special thank you to Viv for all the lovely home cooked meals! And I enjoyed being a student alongside my PhD colleagues, including Alex, Blaire, Ceciel, Kristina, Nae, Sipei, and Sun. I had the honour of being supervised by Sandra