There are various elements of posthumanism in the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ). In simple words, posthumanism relates to the concept of being post-human, which characterizes contemporary art and fields of science fiction. In the museum context, it highlights the technologies that promotes psychological capacities and enhances human intellectual capabilities. Essentially, it characterizes a posthuman future through advanced technologies such as Artificial Technology and robotic operations. In the NMoQ, posthumanism promotes social interconnectedness and allows people to see historical events and art and simultaneously project the future through digital transformations.
The NMoQ has joined join forces with Microsoft to accelerate its digital transformation. This enables the museum to develop new visitor experiences through virtual reality and enhanced operations technology. Through AI, NMoQ has successfully enhanced digital learning experiences. This relates to the concept of posthumanism, which focuses on the future.
The technology is also necessary to reinvent the heritage domain for Qataris. People who might be unfamiliar with Qatari history have interesting and engaging technologies to guide them about the national heritage. This brings education to life through innovative ways. According to MacRae (2017), the posthuman approach in museums has significantly transformed education. It promotes reconceptualization and boosts cognitive abilities, which is necessary in spurring creativity and research.Award-winning French architect Jean Nouvel designed the museum to be to be both immersive and experiential. The NMoQ has three themes; ‘Beginnings’, ‘Life in Qatar’ and ‘The Modern History of Qatar’. Each section provides a multisensory experience through lighting, multi-channel audio, and LED displays. Unlike traditional museums that only provided artwork, the posthumanism in NMoQ offers an immersive experience that encourages learning and offers multiple perspectives of issues.
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Through a posthuman approach, it is possible to appreciate the intra-actions between human and nonhuman actors. The power of objects emerges as viewers can choose how to reconceptualize knowledge and historical narratives. In this case, they mediate learning and allow viewers to create meaning from what they see. Through this, viewers can derive meaning form what they watch through the digital technologies instead of merely relying on information from guides, for example. The display options are evidence of posthumanism. Modular LED tiles on irregular surface dimensions and the installations considered the human experience. The arrangement and pixelations augur with the themes and offer the right content and accompanying audio.
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Overall, the theoretical concept of posthumanism applies significantly to the National Museum of Qatar. The digital technologies enhance human capacities and stimulate cognitive abilities, which improves their experiences. In this case, the designer manipulated the experience that visitors normally have in the museum and offered them a more immersive experience. The interactions between humans and technology improves the human experience, which is the basis of the posthuman theory. This is useful in reframing the Anthropocene and offering multiple perspectives of art and other educational materials in the museum.
Bibliography
MacRae, Christina, Abigail Hackett, Rachel Holmes & Liz Jones. Vibrancy, repetition and movement: posthuman theories for reconceptualising young children in museums.
Microsoft. National Museum of Qatar to join forces with Microsoft to accelerate
Qatar Museums’ digital transformation. 2021.
Milligan, Paul. Desert Rose: The National Museum of Qatar shines with immersive tech.
2022. Inavate.
