by Anna Gamboa
MANILA – In “Night at the Museum,” a hapless museum guard discovers on his first day at the job that the exhibits there come alive with the aid of a magical tablet, including the tiny denizens of various dioramas.
Starting June 12, 2015, you don’t need to wait for sundown and a magical golden tablet to see certain exhibits come alive at Ayala Museum—just an iPod (or your Android device) loaded with the museum’s 3D augmented reality (AR) program, developed by The Harish & Johnsen Group.
With the aid of the AR program, all museum visitors have to do is to stand in a certain spot indicated on the floor, point the AR-equipped device at the exhibit (while wearing headphones), and watch history happen: Filipinos cheering wildly as Bonifacio gives the order to tear their cedulas, bits of paper fluttering like confetti out of the confines of the diorama titled “The Revolution Against Spain Begins,” as a cooking fire in the corner flares up and smoke billows out; smoke, dust and exhaust—accompanied by the almost-mechanical sound of trudging footwear—completing the picture of a determined Japanese army and their vehicles making their way into Manila in “Japanese Forces Occupy Manila.” A vocal narrative supplementing the diorama’s notes accompanies the animation and sound effects.
In line with their Independence Day weekend celebrations, the museum also partnered with Globe Telecom to provide free entrance for postpaid subscribers and 50% off entrance fees for prepaid users. On top of that, the AR equipment will be available for free during that limited period, courtesy of sponsor Avida Land. After this weekend, the units will be available for rent at Php95 at the museum ticket counter.
The Diorama Experience of Philippine History, which have been part of the museum since it opened in 1974, has periodically undergone through refurbishing, and has grown as other landmarks in history were established since the exhibit was launched.
“An iconic part of childhood for many a Filipino thanks to school tours and family visits to the museum, the Dioramas were envisioned to be a compelling way to tell the rich history of our country,” says Mariles Gustilo, Senior Director for Arts and Culture of Ayala Foundation, Inc.
Said to be the first 3D-on-3D augmented reality feature offered by a museum in the Philippines and Asia, there’s no better time to rediscover and appreciate our nation’s history, than on its 117th anniversary of independence.
Learn more about the event and features of the project at www.ayalamuseum.harishandjohnsen.com. Users can also virtually visit the Ayala Museum dioramas through the Google Art Project (www.googleartproject.com). Ayala Museum is located at Makati Avenue corner De La Rosa Street, Greenbelt Park, Makati City. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 AM to 6 PM. For more information, visit www.ayalamuseum.org or email hello@ayalamuseum.org or call (632) 759 82 88.
