Us’ versus ‘Them’: Inclusivity of museum digital representation

Ever-changing technology has resulted in changes within museums and museum practices to accommodate visitors’ needs. Such changes, seek to include the people being represented in museum exhibitions and interpretations. With physical space constraint as a common dilemma, virtual spaces have the potential of becoming extensions of the physical so as to reach and include a broader audience. However, instead of becoming inclusive, the virtual space is becoming a replica of the physical space associated with the exclusiveness. As a result, inclusive participatory culture becomes a challenge. Utilising a multi-disciplinary framework, the paper draws from post-colonial studies, cultural studies, social and cultural history, art history and museum studies, The British Museum website is chosen as an example of the digital representation of artefacts representing other cultures and is analysed as a case study to highlight the importance of inclusive participation in the representation of the ‘other’– particularly Black ‘others’. The paper suggests that digital representation can bring about an all-embracing perspective and multiplicity of interpretations only when combined with a critical contextual approach through an inclusive participatory culture.