PARTICIPATORY VISUAL PERCEPTION IN CONTEMPORARY PAINTING EXHIBITIONS: AUDIENCE ENGAGEMENT IN REPURPOSED INDUSTRIAL SPACES

摘要

This study explores the application of participatory visual perception and management strategies in contemporary painting exhibitions held in repurposed industrial spaces in Shenyang, China. The research aims to examine how participatory curatorial models can enhance audience engagement, reinterpret spatial narratives, and activate the historical atmosphere of post-industrial sites through contemporary art. A mixed-methods approach was adopted, combining semi-structured interviews with 11 professionals—contemporary artists, curators, and art managers—with questionnaire surveys targeting exhibition visitors. The interviews provided in-depth insights into curatorial thinking, spatial strategies, and the evolving relationship between artwork, space, and audience. Questionnaires supplemented this by informing the research framework and validating key assumptions on audience behavior and expectations. The results indicate that participatory visual perception allows audiences to shift from passive viewing to active co-creation through physical movement, tactile exploration, and sensory immersion. Experts emphasized that the industrial environment itself—marked by rusted surfaces, machinery remnants, and large-scale architectural features—functions as a narrative agent that deepens emotional resonance and perceptual complexity. Moreover, effective participatory management involves adaptive spatial planning, the use of historical memory, and a flexible curatorial logic that respects both artistic integrity and public involvement. This research proposes a conceptual model for participatory exhibition design rooted in site specificity and audience agency, offering both theoretical insights and practical guidance for transforming cultural spaces in post-industrial cities.