(un)heard voices

The way museum exhibits are understood and interpreted creates a singular way of looking, with passive dialogue limiting their potential and contribution to the public. (un)heard voices shifts this focus by initiating dialogue with museum visitors and non-curatorial workers. By foregrounding their experiences and amusements, it allows multiple perspectives to coexist in the space, making the human experience of the museum visible. This project, a winner of the 2023 Dorner Prize, is presented by Priyata Bosamia and Shivani Pinapotu (both RISD MDes 2023, INTAR).

The Dorner Prize is an annual juried competition that invites RISD student artists and designers to create new installations, performances, programs, or digital encounters that engage the public by using the RISD Museum’s object collections, public spaces, and digital platforms. The Dorner Prize, named for distinguished early 20th-century RISD Museum director Alexander Dorner, is made possible by a generous anonymous gift.

2023 Jurors
Emily Banas, Assistant Curator, Decorative Arts and Design, RISD Museum and 
Jacqueline Shaw, Schiller Family Assistant Professorship in Race in Art and Design and Assistant Professor of Architecture, RISD