ABSTRACT
The Middle Shore is a virtual collection that explores the connection between the scholar and the figure of the ambient beachcomber. Using medieval images and texts archived by scholars and other enthusiasts, the project delves into the affective experience of research and curation through the metaphor of beachcombing. As a virtual collection, it demonstrates in both content and form the potential affective and phenomenological experiences involved in these processes. It also poses the question of whether it is possible to recreate the feel of ambient, chance-driven collecting in a virtual environment. The Middle Shore’s digital collection intends to recreate the beachcombing experience for users so that they may connect to “shores,” pasts, and people from which they might otherwise remain distanced.
