Enhancing the Interpretation of Islamic Funerary Inscriptions in Museums A Multi-Sensory Approach Using Holographic Storytelling and Sculpted Replicas

Abstract

Traditional museum displays often struggle to effectively communicate the historical and artistic significance of Islamic funerary inscriptions, as their interpretation relies heavily on textual analysis. This study explores the impact of holographic storytelling and sculpted replicas as interpretative tools to enhance visitor engagement and comprehension of these inscriptions. Conducted at the Shaikh Abdullah Al-Salem Cultural Center (Kuwait), the experiment involved a holographic narrator providing historical context while visitors interacted with sculpted replicas of inscriptions, allowing for both visual and tactile engagement. The results reveal that multi-sensory interpretation significantly improves visitor engagement and learning outcomes, with participants displaying increased dwell time, active participation in discussions, and greater recall of historical content. Survey data indicates that over 90% of participants found the holographic storyteller engaging and effective, while observational analysis confirmed that tactile interaction with replicas encouraged deeper exploration of the inscriptions. Additionally, interviews highlighted the role of cultural familiarity in visitor reception, as the use of a well-known artistic figure as the narrator enhanced emotional connection. These findings contribute to the growing discourse on interactive museum interpretation, reinforcing the need for integrated digital and physical storytelling approaches. The study underscores the potential of holography and tactile engagement in making text-based artifacts more accessible and immersive. Future research should further investigate long-term knowledge retention and adaptive digital storytelling techniques to enhance visitor experiences across diverse museum settings.