Humboldt Forum

Mobile & experience first

Client

Stiftung Preussischer Kulturbesitz

Year

2021-2022

Location

Berlin

For the North America exhibition of the Ethnological Museum in the Humboldt Forum, we had the opportunity to bring the history and exhibits to life thanks to augmented reality, the help of the curators and lots of tablets. In the process, we developed 2 mobile, interactive applications.

One collection – many perspectives

Discover First Nations objects using AR and engage in conversations with Indigenous Societies. Using augmented reality, visitors can digitally explore various exhibits from North America’s First Nations. Holding a tablet in their hands, they can access the exhibits from different perspectives and learn what these different point of views are all about. A special focus is put on the perspectives of the Indigenous People, who directly speak to the visitors.

Perspective 01.

Origin and meaning

With the help of a AR photo gallery that is formed within the display case around the object, the history of the object itself and its classification can be told visually and audibly. This allows users to individually control which historical aspect of the object they want to see and hear about.

Perspective 02.

Object highlights

Descriptively and visually, the object itself is viewed and design elements are highlighted and explained via AR. Important features can directly be shown on the object itself, which helps a lot with understanding… and it is fun.

Perspective 03.

Indigenous voices

To get a reference to the present and above all to reflect the view of the Indigenous people, we invited experts to be interviewed. The special feature: they stand „in real life“ next to the objects and can answer visitors‘ questions. We imagine an interactive dialogue with different interview partners. Users are given the opportunity to choose from several questions, which the interview partner then answers.

Tracking challenges in the museum context

Integrating AR in museums comes with unique challenges, especially achieving precise tracking. Reflective display cases, limited lighting to protect sensitive objects, and the close placement of items made millimeter-accurate tracking difficult. Through extensive testing, careful lighting adjustments, and discreetly placed trackers that preserved the objects‘ visual integrity, we created an AR experience that works seamlessly within the museum’s constraints.

Telling the truth

An critical ebook application

This mobile ebook application represents the critical confrontation of experts and authors (and the museum) with the collection practices of earlier times. A travelogue can be explored digitally, focusing on Indigenous perspectives that question the asymmetrical power relations then and now.