I use the word surprising, since the book ended with an epigraph under the title: Towards the future, describing, not only in terms of fiction, but rather in science fiction, what a museum could be like in a few decades. On rereading it, I have been able to appreciate, in certain descriptions, many of the reflections expressed in the previous article on tourism, imaginatively taken to spatial and concrete proposals. I repeat: it was written almost thirty years ago.

I reproduce it literally, with only a few minor changes in its wording:

"Towards the future.

After years of open work, of research and publications, of consultations with the best international specialists, of innumerable controversies that included the citizens themselves; the museum had opened its doors in an expected event that socially surpassed the limits of the city, for its audacity and originality.

I decided to wait a few days, so that the flow of visitors of the first weeks would diminish. I wanted to see it calmly and reflect without pressure on something that interested me personally so much.

I was particularly struck by the radical separation of the works and the visitor. The former were always located behind a curtain wall of safety glass that completely isolated them from both the environment and the people. Computer screens offered all kinds of information, whether about the pieces, the museum or its social services. Smoking, drinking and eating were allowed. While touring this unique exhibition. From time to time hostesses passed by offering refreshments, fast food, as well as many of the articles and souvenirs that could be purchased in the various stores. There were small kiosks with tables and chairs, where you could have a snack, sitting down. Soft ambient music did not interfere with the public address system that continuously informed about the whole range of possibilities offered by the center: conferences, round tables, visits to workshops, warehouses and laboratories, contests, games, movie theaters, mime, dance and theater shows, day-care services and care for the elderly, offers for the reproduction of paintings and sculptures made in the center's own workshops.

In the last lock, that is to say, in the most expensive areas that contained the most important pieces, these were placed individually, one per room. In these rooms, equipped with comfortable armchairs and extremely well cared for furniture, there was sometimes only one person, who stayed as long as he wished, while manipulating the light, the air conditioning and the music to his liking. Hostesses assigned to each work, personally attended to all the needs of the clients, who had telephone, TV, videos, internet, etc., at their disposal. In the seats they had an interactive system, through which they received all the required information of the work or, if they preferred, they could choose one of the numerous games, based on it, that the didactic cabinet of the museum put at their disposal.

(Note: all images that illustrate this article belong to said project) 

Author:

Juan Carlos Rico holds a PhD in Architecture from the Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Madrid, is an Art Historian from the Faculty of History of the University of Salamanca, Sociologist and Philosopher from the UNED. He is currently studying social anthropology. Museum curator He coordinates a multidisciplinary team for the research of the exhibition event and its relationship with space, which has been reflected in various publications.