Temporalities in Museum Spaces

This paper examines how temporalities within museum spaces shape sensory experiences and inform knowledge construction, using Turner Contemporary and the Migration Museum as case studies. Through an ethnographic approach, the research identifies three key temporalities—mythical time, reflexive time, and time as a resource—that configure visitors' sensory engagement. These temporal dynamics influence everyday practices, such as routines, encounters, and affective responses, mediating the relationship between time and perception.

At the Migration Museum, mythical time is reflected in storytelling practices that connect personal histories to broader migration narratives, fostering emotional connections and a participatory atmosphere. In contrast, Turner Contemporary emphasises reflexive time through contemporary art and critical discourse, encouraging visitors to reflect on their experiences in relation to artworks and current social issues. This engagement resonates with Lefebvre’s concept of rhythmanalysis, which highlights the importance of everyday rhythms in shaping social practices (Lefebvre, 2004). Additionally, time as a resource is explored, showing how temporal rhythms shape visitor interactions and institutional dynamics. Ethnographic data, including observations and interviews at both museums, reveal how rhythms—such as exhibition openings and educational programs—affect interactions within the space.

By analyzing these practices, the study reveals how temporal rhythms challenge traditional understandings of time and knowledge, offering new insights into cultural narratives and experiences. This comparative analysis highlights museums as spaces where temporalities intertwine with sensory perception, fostering critical reflection on cultural participation.