SEARCHER is an interactive prototype that explores digital collections as forms of participatory curation. The project designs ways to foster new readings of the collection through interpretation and engagement. To facilitate this, we bring together layers of (machine-learning) techniques to analyze interconnections within collection holdings. Given that the museum's frontend grants access to only a fraction of its holdings through fixed displays and long-serving narratives, the project argues for more open circulation of search, stories, and sharing within museums.
Inspired by the image atlases of Aby Warburg (1866–1929) – which mapped visual themes across time through 'alliances of attraction'– SEARCHER reimagines the visual map as a curatorial 'thinking space', where searching and finding become spatial and social acts. The aim is to challenge the notion that collection search has defined boundaries and instead to embrace serendipity — finding something you were not initially searching for. This concept is integral to the installation's performative function, where your chosen set of objects, written queries, or contextualization of your findings opens new avenues for inquiry. Consequently, the installation builds off of your search, uncovering hidden relationships that emerge and evolve over time.
The project was initiated by Searcher Studio, a collective of art,
design, and data experts whose work explore creative ways for people
to engage with digital heritage collections. The team (2023-2024)
consists of Thomas Hügin, Maja Kolar, Boris Smeenk, Jon Stam and
Valentin Vogelmann. Realized in partnership with Culture Center
Delavski dom Trbovlje. Co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of
the European Union. Associated Institutions Museum of Architecture
and Design Ljubljana, Slovenia Design Museum Ghent, Belgium Museum
für Kunst und Gewerbe Hamburg, Germany Images of Searcher with MAO
collections © Museum of Architecture and Design Ljubljana. All
rights reserved.
For more information about the research process, methodologies, and
outputs of the Searcher project, you can contact Jon Stam at
jon.stam@luca-arts.be.
