How museums are using immersive digital experiences

By Lizzy Hillier

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It is common knowledge that many art galleries and museums are finding it tough to market to younger, digitally-oriented generations. Although millennials ‘enjoy museums’, they have also ‘expressed concern that the content and mission of many museums may not be in sync with millennials’ interest and values’.

Immersive exhibitions

National Museum of Singapore – ‘Story of the Forest’

This incredibly immersive and colourful exhibition takes you on a sloping, spiralised walk down to a main dome at the centre. On the walls of the path are large screens that hug the curvature of the walls, making the visuals seamless at eye-level. An animated display of a forest scene is projected from the screens, inviting the viewer to spot various animals in the foreground and background. You can then use the ‘Story of the Forest’ App on your mobile device to find out more about certain animals in front of you, including habitat, diet and levels of endangerment. This can also be performed in the main dome area of the exhibit, where additionally you can lie down and take in a breath-taking view of the ceiling that features cascading spores and plants.

Analysis:

The immersive exhibition of the art museum shows an opportunity to fully utilize the space to enhance the visual experience. Different from traditional moviegoing or 3D, VR, people are embraced by the scene and can walk around freely, to “wander” in the scene. For post-pandemic movie theaters, the private theater may be a feasible solution responding to the demand for avoiding crowds. It is hard to say if the format of movies and other technical issues will be the problems for applying this technology to movie theaters, however, it offers an opportunity to create an immersive theatrical experience in a limited space.