This thesis researches how multi-sensory design techniques, such as touchable replicas, scent and soundscapes, influence the perception and reception of art in the museum. To create a more limited...Show moreThis thesis researches how multi-sensory design techniques, such as touchable replicas, scent and soundscapes, influence the perception and reception of art in the museum. To create a more limited scope, the new permanent collection display Dwarsverbanden in the Van Abbemuseum in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, is used as a case study. The interest in the use of multiple senses has been a point of discussion over the last decade, or so. However, not many Dutch exhibitions or institutions have been discussed in this field. Furthermore, the focus of these resources is never on the educational and experiential aspects of a museum visit. This thesis is divided into three topics: the material, the invisible and the experience. The material focuses on the perception of the objects themselves and their reproductions, therefore the sense of touch is the centre of discussion. The invisible focuses on the communication of the more abstract senses smelling and hearing. The experience aims to research the influence of multi-sensory design techniques on the educational value and how a visitor's attention is divided in the museum context. This research shows that the multi-sensory design tools used in this exhibition are translations of the two-dimensional artwork, which can be used as an aid. The senses each have a different approach to interpreting the artwork and evoke a different response. The use of a replica can gain a different perspective and open a sensory world, normally not present in the museum. The senses of smell and hearing communicate meaning and emotion and connect the visitor to the artwork. Research on visitor experience shows that multi-sensory design tools create an active student and fight boredom.Show less