TABOO - TRANSGRESSION - TRANSCENDENCE

This paper delves into the performing of immersive experience queering of digital heritage assets, a transformative approach explored within the IMPULSE research project. IMPULSE investigates innovative methods for experiencing and interpreting digitised cultural heritage within immersive virtual environments, challenging conventional narratives through speculative and inclusive frameworks. By integrating emerging immersive technologies, the project re-imagines the role of digital heritage in contemporary cultural discourse.

At its core, IMPULSE employs artistic research methodologies to interrogate and expand the potential of digital heritage archives and assets. Through performances and exhibitions, the project creates dynamic, user-centered experiences that foster emotional and cognitive engagement. These speculative interpretations serve to "queer" digital heritage archives, questioning normative understandings and reshaping their cultural significance. This approach highlights the capacity of immersive technologies to make digital heritage more accessible and inclusive while addressing critical challenges such as interoperability and design.

The paper also examines the role of artistic research in transforming digital heritage practices, emphasizing its power to unlock new layers of meaning in cultural artifacts. By queering digital archives, IMPULSE transcends traditional boundaries, offering audiences an active role in the reinterpretation of heritage. The findings underscore the potential of immersive and performative methodologies to redefine the dissemination and experience of cultural heritage in the digital age.

Ultimately, this paper showcases how IMPULSE’s integration of technology, artistic research, and speculative design contributes to a more inclusive and dynamic cultural heritage landscape. It highlights the project's significance in addressing pressing issues of accessibility and representation, demonstrating how performing digital heritage can challenge and enrich our understanding of the past. This innovative approach not only expands the scope of heritage research but also positions immersive experiences as a vital tool for cultural engagement and reinterpretation.