Hybrid spaces

Rethinking the accessibility of art

In addition to the actual space and virtual space, there is a third type that is be called hybrid space. Hybrid space utilizes a stream of information to empower the physical space around us using technologies such as augmented reality, virtual reality, and augmented virtuality. Hybrid space has been explored and conceptualized in the literature, but it has yet to reach its potential as an effective medium in museums. An opportunity to interact with virtual objects while maintaining the awareness of actual physical space is nevertheless promising. Such space has a potential to make art more accessible and allow visitors to engage with each other (Baradaran Rahimi, F., Levy, R. M., & Boyd, J.E., 2018).

Reality integration

When integrating the “new reality” into an art space, it is important to understand the relationship between virtual and real components of the experience. The most common combination is augmented reality (AR), which overlays a virtual world on top of the real one. The opposite principle of overlaying real world on top of a virtual one is also possible and is called augmented virtuality (AV). The less common technique is so-called diminished reality (DR), where some aspects of real world are purposely removed, creating altered experience for a user. Mediated reality (MR) is a more complex way to alter one’s experience, because it influences and modifies information about the world instead of adding or removing it. In addition to that if the AR, MR, or AV overwhelm user with too much information for comprehensive response, the user deals with hyper reality (HR)(C. Maxfield, 2022).