Research into the tangibility of the object encourages a different approach to study from that of only digital or documentation by connecting through haptic encounters to the senses and by stimulating the curiosity. This approach is seen to enable accessibility to the archive for new audiences and those outside of academia.
The main event for this research project, The Tangible Archive Symposium, took place on 7 December 2023 with eleven presentations selected from almost thirty applications. The themes of the Symposium explored ways in which archives and collections are not only used in academic study, but can additionally inspire new ways of understanding the past. Of particular interest were projects which demonstrated archives as inspiration for creative practice and practice as a ‘way in’ to the archive.
Each speaker demonstrated that studying archives and collections through tangible objects brings new reflections and contemporary relevance to historical material. Speaker sessions were followed by Q & A, with an audience of approximately sixty attendees from within the University and external visitors.
The keynote speaker was Dr Sue Breakell who spoke about a recently published book she has co-edited with Wendy Russell, The Materiality of the Archive: Creative Practice in Context.
Image: Chair from the Parker Knoll Archive and Panel, The Tangible Archive Symposium.
Project details
Research team
Team members
Funder
Rescaling fund, 2023-2004
Duration
November 2023 to July 2024
More about the project
- Tangible Research is a project designed to foster and develop the research culture in the design cluster and develop an awareness and engagement with published outputs and writing.
- The project centres on The Tangible Archive Symposium, in the Special Collections, that will lead to dissemination through podcasts and a Journal Special Issue.
- To provide an opportunity to develop the accessibility of the Special Collections both within the University and to wider audiences.
Public-facing outcomes
- The Tangible Archive Symposium, London Metropolitan University, 7 December 2023
Public outreach
- Organised by the London Metropolitan University Saturday Art and Design Club, a part of the National Saturday Club, the Saturday Club engaged with children aged 13-16 from various schools throughout south-east England. It ran every Saturday morning on November 11th, 18th and 25th. During these sessions, the children engaged in a series of artistic activities utilising the Special Collections at London Metropolitan University.