Juxtaposition and the Liminal Exhibit—Inevitable and Surprising, at the Same Time

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Juxtaposition and the Liminal Exhibit—Inevitable and Surprising, at the Same Time

Book Chapter (2026)

Author(s)

Johan Liedgren (Independent researcher)

Andrea Gaggioli (Catholic University of the Sacred Heart)

PMA Desmet (TU Delft - Form and Experience)

Research Group

Form and Experience

DOI related publication

https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-89521-0_2

To reference this document use:

https://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:7cf626c3-4fa3-40bc-b930-a7c9e850e52d

More Info

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Publication Year

2026

Language

English

Research Group

Form and Experience

Bibliographical Note

Green Open Access added to TU Delft Institutional Repository as part of the Taverne amendment. More information about this copyright law amendment can be found at https://www.openaccess.nl. Otherwise as indicated in the copyright section: the publisher is the copyright holder of this work and the author uses the Dutch legislation to make this work public.@en

Pages (from-to)

27-47

ISBN (print)

['978-3-031-89520-3', '978-3-031-89523-4']

ISBN (electronic)

978-3-031-89521-0

Reuse Rights

Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.

Abstract

By exploring the potential of liminal design for museums and exhibitions through the intentional juxtaposition of the familiar and the unfamiliar, we offer perspectives to ignite visitors’ imagination. The theoretical framework connecting liminality, transformative experiences, and juxtaposition anchors a practical three-step model that showcases how museums can offer liminal experiences with narrative engagement, optimal abstraction, and suspension of disbelief. Concepts are illustrated with examples, including the Seattle Asian Art Museum, Victoria and Albert, Brera, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi. The specific dynamics of interactive technology, immersive exhibits, and multimedia are discussed as additional thresholds and juxtapositions creating liminality that can offer deeper and more meaningful visitor experiences.

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File under embargo until 18-01-2026