W. Saroyan Museum
The William Saroyan House Museum was established in the 1960s and is located in Fresno, California, where the writer spent the final 17 years of his life. The design concept for the museum was centred around the idea of “digital reproduction.” It was essential to create a comprehensive portrayal of Saroyan, encompassing not only his literary contributions but also providing a space where visitors could view the writer’s belongings, sense his presence, and engage in a dialogue with his legacy.
The museum is developed in two progressive stages: an initial analogue and physical display stage, followed by an experimental digital layout stage that integrates AI (artificial intelligence) technology. It features a display of several thousand images of Saroyan’s writings, unpublished pages, diaries, collections, a large selection of archival photographs, and the writer’s paintings. All materials are presented in a small format designed to convey the vast amount of available material and act as a live visual catalogue for researchers.
The focal point of the display is an interactive hologram of the writer himself, who hosts visitors and guides them through the experience. Initially, the hologram draws on context created by professional writers and editors based on extensive research into the writer’s life and work. As the second stage commences, the hologram is equipped with an AI programme designed to generate original content based on Saroyan’s writings and biography.
The museum retains the appearance of an ordinary American suburban house. As it has been designated a monument, the exterior remains untouched. However, the interior has been completely renovated. To the right of the entrance, there is a reception desk and a souvenir shop.
The main hall is dimly lit, with an exhibition created by four installation walls, each showcasing different aspects of the author’s life. Near the entrance to the hall, there is an interactive wall that responds to visitors’ movements, illuminating photographs that span the entirety of the author’s life. To conclude the exhibition on an unforgettable note, visitors are invited into the author’s room, where they can view a hologram of the writer delivering a monologue.
