Geismar situates digital display in long-standing processes of mediation, technological mimesis, and objectification

In "Museum object lessons for the digital age," Haidy Geismar situates digital display within long-standing processes of mediation, technological mimesis, and objectification for several key reasons: 1. To emphasize the continuity of technologies: By situating digital display in historical contexts, Geismar highlights that new technologies are part of an ongoing process of representing and mediating objects. This approach demonstrates that digital displays are not entirely disconnected from the past but form part of a larger trajectory of technological advancements. 2. To illustrate the transformation of objects and their meanings: Objects in a digital display, just like those in physical displays, undergo a transformation as they are mediated through various technologies. They are re-contextualized and re-purposed, often taking on new meanings and values. Geismar seeks to show that this transformation is not exclusive to digital technology but has happened throughout history, allowing us to understand how objects can be impactful in digital displays. 3. To highlight the importance of the medium: By linking digital display with historical processes, Geismar brings attention to the significance of the medium through which objects are presented. Both the physical and digital mediums play crucial roles in determining how objects are experienced, perceived, and understood by audiences. Therefore, understanding how the medium influences the communication of these objects helps museum professionals make more informed decisions about display techniques. 4. To explore issues of authenticity and authority: Museums have historically played a significant role in authenticating and authorizing objects. By presenting the digital display as part of a lineage of mediation and objectification, Geismar encourages us to grapple with questions of authenticity and authority in the digital age, such as the reliability of digital replicas and the power dynamics underlying curatorial and artistic choices within digital platforms. 5. To foster critical reflection: The main aim of situating digital display within historical contexts of mediation, technological mimesis, and objectification is to foster a critical stance on the use of digital technologies within museums. By examining these connections, we can be more aware of the potential consequences, limitations, and opportunities offered by digital displays and make more thoughtful, informed choices in their design and application. In short, Geismar highlights these connections to emphasize the continuity of technology, illustrate objects' transformation, point to the importance of mediums, explore questions of authenticity and authority, and encourage critical reflection around digital displays in museums.