Taiwan Today
Date: May 26, 2016
Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology in New Taipei City launched trial operations May 24 of a
Guests try a virtual reality experience currently under development by Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology at New Taipei City Hall May 24. (Courtesy of New Taipei City Government)
virtual reality experience that will soon allow visitors to explore the underwater environment of the historically significant Tamsui River estuary near the museum, highlighting the growing adoption of state-of-the-art technologies among Taiwan’s cultural institutions.
“The VR program is highly immersive and interactive, giving you an idea of what underwater archaeological work is really like,” said New Taipei City Mayor Eric Chu after trying the technology at the unveiling.
Scheduled to open to the public in October, the VR project is part of comprehensive city government efforts to enhance museum-goers experiences through the use of modern technologies. “All four of the museums administered by the New Taipei City Government—the Shihsanhang Museum of Archaeology, Yingge Ceramics Museum, Tamsui Historical Museum and Gold Museum—are actively developing virtual programs,” said Lin Kuan-yuh, commissioner of NTCG’s Cultural Affairs Department.
In spring this year, the Yingge Ceramics Museum signed an agreement with U.S. tech giant Google Inc. to include 150 items from its collection in the Google Cultural Institute’s Art Project, an online platform displaying artworks from around the world in 2-D and 3-D formats. All of the selected pieces are due to be uploaded to the platform by the end of this year. The Taipei-based National Palace Museum is currently the only public institution in Taiwan participating in the project. [FULL STORY]
