Museum of Austerity Visitor Guide
We want to welcome everyone to Museum of Austerity and to make your visit as easy as possible. Here is some information that we hope will be useful.
Mixed Reality
Museum of Austerity offers a promenade gallery experience that uses a Hololens 2 mixed reality headset. This is a relatively lightweight, adjustable headset with a glass screen that allows you to see the room you're in at the same time as seeing holographic images inside the room. You are invited to wear this headset together with a pair of headphones that deliver a multi-layered soundscape including testimonies and original music.
Content warning
Museum of Austerity contains disturbing and challenging material including:
Holographic representations of death and psychological distress
Audio references to: psychological distress and death, including three instances of suicide* linked to the benefit system
Audio references to: domestic violence, alcoholism, self-harm, eating disorders, dementia
*Note: One story contains a detail related to the method of someone death by suicide. There is an option to have this story, and any others you have concerns about, removed from your experience in advance.
Age recommendation: 18+ years.
Before the visit
Before entering, a host will ask you about any access requirements and will help you put on and adjust your headset and headphones. If there is anything in the content warnings that you might find particularly challenging, please let the host know, as we can filter out some specific content based on individual preference.
During the visit
Museum of Austerity is designed for audiences of up to ten people at a time. A host will be nearby throughout the experience. If you need assistance at any time, including to request a portable seat or to remove your headset, simply raise your hand and the host will come immediately to assist you. There is a place where you can sit to take a break from listening to the narratives, where you will only hear music. The experience lasts about 35 minutes, but you are able to leave at any time. There is a quiet seating area next to the gallery.
After the visit
After the visit, you are welcome to stay in the lounge area for a while to view the wall exhibitions or rest on one of the sofas.
Learn more
If you'd like to learn more about this subject, John Pring, co-editor of Museum of Austerity, invites you to explore the Deaths by Welfare timeline, co-created with Dr. China Mills of Healing Justice Ldn. www.deathsbywelfare.org
Access
Please let us know your access requirements in advance by sending an email to
[tour venue(s) email to follow]
Museum of Austerity is accessible to wheelchair users and can also be experienced walking, standing and with portable folding stools.
The following options and equipment are also available:
BSL or ISL (International Sign Language) introductions with captions. Watch BSL intro here. Watch ISL intro here.
Captions on the Hololens headset screen
Dialogue-only version (reduced background sound)
Silent version
Large over-ear headphones that can encompass a behind-ear hearing aid
Headphone-free audio
A volume control allows independent control of the volume for the left or right ear
A 3.5 mm mini-jack socket for hearing aids with a direct input cable
A personal induction loop for hearing aids with a T-setting
Transcription available upon request
Audio description (Introduction and Through Description in English). Audio description for Hamburg can be listened to here. The full text guide to the written materials can be listened to here.
Stationary, seated, audio only version
Sighted guide host support (must be arranged in advance via the email above)
The mixed reality headset can be worn over most glasses and contact lenses
Headset brightness adjustment
Large print version of the signage and audio description in English available on request in paper or digital form.
Guide dogs are welcome
Free companion tickets available at the time of booking
Keeping safe: HoloLens 2
The touch points on headsets, headphones and iPads are sanitised between use.
The HoloLens 2 safety instructions and instructions are available here. Printed versions are available on request from the hosts on site. We recommend that you read the full guidance before deciding to participate:
if you wear an electronic medical device (such as a pacemaker)
if you or one of your relatives have a history of seizures or epilepsy
if you have a pre-existing visual impairment, as a small percentage of people have a pre-existing visual impairment that may be aggravated when using the HoloLens 2.
Some individuals may experience discomfort such as nausea, motion sickness, dizziness, disorientation, headaches, fatigue, eyestrain, or dry eyes when using mixed reality. If you experience discomfort, let your host know and rest until you feel better. If symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Helplines/further support
At every showing of Museum of Austerity there will be a host present should you need support.
If you find the content challenging:
you may choose to listen to the breathing exercise resource prepared by the production’s wellbeing advisor.
Alternatively, Healing Justice Ldn Aftercare menu offers some approaches to care for yourself
For details of organisations that provide free advice and support to disabled people, on issued such as benefits, housing, independent living, and how to become involved in disability rights campaigning visit: https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/advice-and-information/
If you or someone you know is experiencing distress, the following organisations offer advice and support:
Samaritans Call 116 123, for a free listening service 24 hours, 365 days a year samaritans.org
Calm Call 0800 58 58 58 5pm – midnight, 365 days a year thecalmzone.net
Mind Call 0300 123 3393, Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm mind.org.uk
Feedback
We look forward to your feedback. If you have any suggestions on how we could have improved your visit to the Museum of Austerity, please email info@trialanderror.studio or drop a message in our exhibition postbox.