Mapping Austrofascism in situ: a design exploration of augmented storytelling for contested historical events and sites

A novel approach to augmented storytelling for contested historical events and sites has been explored through the development of site-specific design probes, extending digital-cartography platforms into physical spaces. The research demonstrates how multi-perspective on-screen mediation can be translated into situated, in-place narratives, while navigating risks and benefits. Using the 'Mapping Austrofascism' platform as a reference, three augmented-reality prototypes were designed to mediate the Austrofascist 'Turks Deliverance Celebration' of 1933 in Vienna's Schönbrunn Palace gardens, focusing on historically significant media such as public-address systems, sound-film newsreels, and information visualization. The findings are framed as a design exploration rather than a validated model, emphasizing the partial trajectory of experiments and the questions they leave open. These prototypes, though not yet deployed or evaluated, propose potential effects on visitor experience.

Passecker, M., Ganahl, S., Proksa, F., Miksch, S., & Aigner, W. (2026). Mapping Austrofascism in situ: a design exploration of augmented storytelling for contested historical events and sites. International Journal of Digital Humanities. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42803-026-00133-z