FR HA TREASURE HUNT : ‘COMPUTER VIRUS, INVENTORY IN DANGER!’

15 students from the 2nd year class were selected to create and run an event organised by the FRAC (‘Fonds régionaux d'art contemporain’) in Dunkirk : “Treasure hunt : ‘Computer virus, inventory in danger !‘ “

1st session : The students went to the FRAC to discover the museum's new collection, which the mediator presented to them. At the end of the visit, they were divided into 7 groups, each of which chose a work from the collection. They chose a wide variety of objects : a whimsical teapot (snake, flying saucer), a column bed (folding spare bed), a ‘sella’ chair (made from a bicycle seat), ‘nemo’ chairs (which appear to be dancing), trompe-l'oeil chairs (stone-like appearance), chairs made of marine knots and fishing nets, and a 1965 RR126 stereo system.

2nd session : The cultural mediator explained the treasure hunt’s topic : inventorying the museum. Inventorying involves checking the condition of the collection : each work is examined, its location checked, its state of preservation analysed, and its packaging studied. It is also an opportunity to update its inventory and ‘technical data sheet’, i.e. all the information relating to its presentation and installation. She then presented them with three possible scenarios, which they read. They voted and selected one scenario : ‘A computer virus has partially erased the information on the artwork files. Carry out the inventory process, an essential task for the museum, to solve the mysteries of each artwork and complete the valuable files.’

3rd session : The students met with an escape game manager. He explained the difference between an escape game and a treasure hunt and showed them how to design a treasure hunt from a scenario (equipment, constraints, puzzles, layout of the space). He then gave them examples of puzzles.

4th session : The students created puzzles. The aim is for the player to complete the summary sheet for the inventory : title of the work, name of the artist, date of creation, date the work entered the collection, dimensions, materials, method of acquisition, inventory number, location where the work is stored, whether the work has been restored or needs restoration.

The students organised their treasure hunt on a Saturday afternoon at the FRAC. Each group led their treasure hunt to many visitors from their friends and family, but also an external audience. Each treasure hunt consisted of four to five varied, fun and sometimes surprising puzzles for visitors, who were required to use a variety of tools (torches, tablets, puzzles, books, padlocks, maps, Rubik's cubes, etc.) in different positions (thinking, moving around the space, sitting, standing, lying down, etc.). On the one hand, this activity was very stressful for the students, who had to remain highly focused on their puzzles while also working together to divide up the space effectively. On the other hand, it was very entertaining and informative for the audience.