Beyond the Interpreter's Words: Experiences Erupt from the Visitor's Entire Context

Abstract

This article is the cover story for themed issue, Immersive Experiences in Interpretation. It refutes the traditional view of interpretation whereby most of the advice and attention centers on the interpreter, her words and actions. Rather the article propose a holistic view to understanding all the many stimuli in the multi-dimensional environment that together shape the conditions of the experience opportunity. When the interpretive agency understands this wider context, it can better design experience opportunities for people to engage and interact with the heritage that ultimately is the purpose of the interpretation.