When we began our research into the project, we discovered peeling wallpaper, decades-old newspapers, beer steins, and even ladies underwear scattered through the building remnants. Each layer, each object, had a rich story to tell. Our process of discovering the Tenement Museum through its physical evidence inspired the process we eventually created for our visitors: what if they could discover objects themselves, and through these objects, uncover the stories of the shops that once sold them?
Physical Artifacts as Digital Portals.
Shop Life at the Lower East Side Tenement Museum
How to convey the changing story of commerce, over generations, in one space?
The Tenement Museum preserves New York’s story of immigration by interpreting the lives of those who have moved through 97 Orchard Street since 1863. When the museum began archaeological work on the building, they uncovered the stories of over fifty shops who have inhabited 97 Orchard, each leaving their unique mark. This archaeology of history is both the Museum’s biggest asset and its biggest challenge.
To meet this challenge, we created the Shop Life counter: the first interactive installation ever incorporated into the historic Tenement Museum. In so doing, we created an experience that amplifies the unique place-based storytelling that the Museum excels at, and amplifies the human effects and connections between the Tenement Museum staff, the stories of past tenants, and the experiences of visitors.
Overview
Visitors interact with replica artifacts to trigger personalized digital experiences
Integrates into the museum’s renowned educator-led tours
Explores the experience of being an immigrant in New York
Press
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A look at the new "Shop Life" tour at the Tenement Museum
"By using this motion-sensitive counter, visitors can access a wealth of archival photographs and recordings that tell the stories of the families who made their livelihoods at this 97 Orchard Street storefront."
Time Out New York
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Toasting History in a Cellar Saloon
"These well-executed light tables tell the story of the butcher and his family from the turn of the last century."
The New York Times
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First Look: New "Shop Life" Exhibit at Tenement Museum
Bowery Boogie
When set on the table, the object acts as a portal to storytelling, and triggers stories by and about a real tenant of 97 Orchard.
Shop Life mimics the moment of discovery of an archaeological treasure for its visitors, and builds upon the spirit of commerce to create a “story” shopping experience. When groups of fifteen visitors enter Shop Life, each visitor selects his or her own object at random, and places it on the large interactive table. When set on the table, the object acts as a portal to storytelling, and triggers stories by and about a real tenant of 97 Orchard.
As the Museum continues to research and uncover new stories, and as the tenants of 97 Orchard Street continue to change, the interactive experience can also evolve with this new story. Shop Life ensures the experience and the Tenement Museum’s story remains relevant for the next generation of visitors and New Yorkers.
When we began our research into the project, we discovered peeling wallpaper, decades-old newspapers, beer steins, and even ladies underwear scattered through the building remnants. Each layer, each object, had a rich story to tell. Our process of discovering the Tenement Museum through its physical evidence inspired the process we eventually created for our visitors: what if they could discover objects themselves, and through these objects, uncover the stories of the shops that once sold them?
When set on the table, the object acts as a portal to storytelling, and triggers stories by and about a real tenant of 97 Orchard.
Shop Life mimics the moment of discovery of an archaeological treasure for its visitors, and builds upon the spirit of commerce to create a “story” shopping experience. When groups of fifteen visitors enter Shop Life, each visitor selects his or her own object at random, and places it on the large interactive table. When set on the table, the object acts as a portal to storytelling, and triggers stories by and about a real tenant of 97 Orchard.
As the Museum continues to research and uncover new stories, and as the tenants of 97 Orchard Street continue to change, the interactive experience can also evolve with this new story. Shop Life ensures the experience and the Tenement Museum’s story remains relevant for the next generation of visitors and New Yorkers.
Credits
-
Potion
Concept & Design Development
Graphic & Interactive Design
Software Development
Hardware Development -
Tenement Museum
Content Creation
Concept Development -
Andrew Green
Sound Design
“It’s the museum’s first use of digital technology, and we hope it’s not its last.”
“It’s the museum’s first use of digital technology, and we hope it’s not its last.”
Awards
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2013
AAM
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2013
Society for Experiential Graphic Design
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2013
Professional Notable, Core77 Interaction Awards
Core77
Press
-
A look at the new "Shop Life" tour at the Tenement Museum
"By using this motion-sensitive counter, visitors can access a wealth of archival photographs and recordings that tell the stories of the families who made their livelihoods at this 97 Orchard Street storefront."
Time Out New York
-
Toasting History in a Cellar Saloon
"These well-executed light tables tell the story of the butcher and his family from the turn of the last century."
The New York Times
-
First Look: New "Shop Life" Exhibit at Tenement Museum
Bowery Boogie
Credits
-
Potion
Concept & Design Development
Graphic & Interactive Design
Software Development
Hardware Development -
Tenement Museum
Content Creation
Concept Development -
Andrew Green
Sound Design