Page 103 - AC-3-1

Arts & Communication Integrating extended reality in modern museums

Table 1. Benefits, challenges, and best practices of VR usage in modern museums
References Benefits References Challenges References Best practices
57,58,62,67 Allows storing and archiving an 3,58 Offers a solitary, individual 58,62 Virtual museums/collections of numerous
unlimited number of items experience platforms (e.g., Art Institute of Chicago’s
1,4,24,71,73 Provides access to collections/ 73 To share VR space with other online collection, The Guggenheim
artifacts people (a multi-user experience: Museum’s permanent collection, The
-that are not physically social VR) is still too expensive ΜοΜΑ collection), where over 2,000
exhibited/inaccessible and thus often unavailable to cultural institutions provide virtual content
-when access to the physical one museums. through virtual galleries (e.g., Google Arts
is not possible (e.g., people with and Culture).
disabilities/senior populations)
58,62,67 Permits browsing without 94,95 Engineers/designers must find 14,19,69,73 Simulated function of objects and human
location, time, or cost solutions to overcome the issue of activity in contextualized environments (e.g.,
constraints, while avoiding cybersickness. virtual reconstitution of an 18 -century
th
crowding. ship, experiencing the Battle on Neretva in
73 Can be used to get a concrete feel 4,58 Viewing fatigue, technical glitches, the permanent exhibition of the Museum
of how a certain space/object/ and operational challenges in in Jablanica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, or
event would look like. technology can hinder visitors’ travel through the time in a Nazi bunker at
overall VR satisfaction. the Tirpitz Museum (Denmark) through the
Tirpitz project).
1 Gives extra/additional 73 Intense visibility of VR masks/ 61-63,65 Immersive interactive experiences in
information about the exhibited glasses. museums’ exhibitions (e.g., observing the
artifacts. details of Gioconda at the Louvre (2019),
4,54,57,58 Can be an effective tool to 73,78,79 VR technology raises skepticism immersing in a famous artist’s studio
both educate and entertain and questions about whether a in Tate Modern (2017), diving into the
visitors, allowing for interactive simulated museum gradually world of Alice in Wonderland in the V&A
exploration of artifacts. changes the meaning of the Museum landmark exhibition (2021), or
museum visit or what constitutes touring the Forbidden City of Beijing from
authentic art. the time of the Chinese Imperial Dynasties
(2016)).
3,4,13,19 Can create engagement by 84 The usefulness and value of VR are 14 Virtual reconstitution of an excavation is
providing compelling and dramatically reduced for on-site useful for archaeologists to apprehend a
memorable experiences, experiences. site and its excavation process.
involving cognitive and affective
states associated with behavioral
responses.
58 Fully immersive virtual museum 15 Its convergence with other smart 19,49 Gamification of historical or scientific
experience can add value to technologies (e.g., AI or robotics) events integrated in educational
visitors’ on-site experience. can boost its potentialities. applications of VR (e.g., SG scenario of
Palace of Aigai/bridge destruction on the
Neretva river).
1,73 Offers spectacular and 1 Virtual characters should not only
immersive, empathy-inducing be realistic but also exhibit natural
experiences. movement.
4,58,74,75 Enhances visitor satisfaction, 58 The possibility of social
especially for younger interaction in virtual museums
generations, thereby affecting is a condition demanded by the
visitor intention. younger generation, which fully
associates with their satisfaction
58,67 Can enable visitors to examine
the content from different angles
and in the finest detail.
13,57 It creates a sense of deep
relaxation and escape from the
pressure of real life.
58 Wearable VR can be an effective
way to tour the museum as it
provides a new perspective on
a museum compared to the
traditional tour.
Abbreviation: VR: Virtual reality.

Volume 3 Issue 1 (2025) 8 doi: 10.36922/ac.3428