Story, not Gadget. Digital Media as Art Materials and Curatorial Tools in Early Childhood Art Education

Abstract

An important point of using materials in art is to explore their characteristics and possibilities, connecting them with thoughts and experiences to investigate and make sense of ideas and the world. Through art materials, artists create and narrate their own stories. This article argues that if used to b ring forth individual voices in social contexts, digital technologies can be important tools in early childhood education. Augmented Reality (AR) and Quick Response Codes (QR) are not often used in early childhood education, but have an immense potential as curatorial tools in exhibiting young children’s work. As with any other more or less traditional materials, digital media are here used for the possibilities they offer artists to explore and communicate. More than being “fancy gadgets,” materials are powerful tools to create and tell s tories. This article focuses on an art exhibition showing works by young children in a professional gallery setting, and explore uses for these digital tools in social contexts. After introducing the context for this annual exhibition as part of an early childhood center’s art program for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers, this article explores potential uses of these technologies to enhance visitor experience and increase the presence and impact of the artists’ voices. The goal of using this kind of technology is set in the kind of artistic, learning, and emotional experiences its use allows and encourages for children and adult visitors. Connecting ideas and concepts from curatorial, educational, and artistic perspectives, this article offers discussions and conclusions relevant to the fields of art and early childhood education.