Acoustiguide to tell Canterbury Art Story
17 October 2003
Designed to enrich the experience of all visitors, the Christchurch Art
Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu’s new Acoustiguide provides fascinating
detail on the story of Canterbury art, told by well-known Christchurch presenter
and writer, Liz Grant.
The audio-guide, which has just been launched by the Gallery, is the result
of many months of testing and development. The Acoustiguide model, selected
for the audio-tour by the Gallery because of its versatility and familiarity
to New Zealand audiences, will allow visitors to take an in-depth, self-directed
tour of the Permanent Collections.
Christchurch Art Gallery Finance and Building Services Manager, Bronwyn
Simes says the Acoustiguide provides another way for the Gallery to broaden
the visitor experience - making the exhibitions more accessible, and educational,
for a wide audience.
“The Acoustiguide is extremely simple to use, based around an ergonomically-designed
handset that is very much like an ordinary telephone,” says Bronwyn
Simes.
“In addition, the Acoustiguide has easily read and operated controls,
adjustable settings, including volume control, replay functions and the
option to take a continuous tour or select individual works.”
Bronwyn Simes says the Acoustiguide, which will be available throughout
opening hours, will enable users to tour at their own pace and gain a detailed
insight into the Permanent Collections without having to schedule their
visit to coincide with the Gallery’s free tours.
“The Acoustiguide is also available at a very accessible price: only
$2.50 - making it a fantastic experience for less than the price of a coffee,” says
Bronwyn Simes.
“To cater for our international visitors, we have also made the audio-tour
available in Mandarin and Japanese.”
Ms Simes says the audio-tour, detailing the story of Canterbury art
as illustrated by the extensive Permanent Collection, is based on carefully
researched material, developed by the Gallery’s curators. The tour
was then adapted for listening audiences and professionally voiced, with
appropriate New Zealand music as background.
“The response to the test project, which we ran during The Allure
of Light exhibition, was extremely positive,” says Bronwyn Simes.
“We believe visitors will find the Acoustiguide experience very rewarding.”
The Acoustiguide is now available at the Christchurch Art Gallery
Te Puna o Waiwhetu. The tour of the Gallery’s Permanent Collections
costs $2.50 per handset. Acoustiguides can be hired from the Gallery Information
Desk in the foyer.
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