Rene Burton & Jared Davidson: He Tohu VR: Taking (virtual) archives to the people

Wednesday November 20, 2019 2:30pm - 2:55pm

Rangimarie 2 - Breakout Room Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

One of the goals of the He Tohu exhibition is to provide better access to three constitutional documents that continue to shape Aotearoa New Zealand: He Whakaputanga (known in English as the Declaration of Independence), Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and the Women's Suffrage Petition. Yet these documents are both fragile and on permanent display in Wellington, preventing their display in other places. How could we met the goal of increased access, and the request from Iwi leaders to take these archives to the people? One answer was virtual reality. Using high definition photogrammetry and a team of writers, curators and musicians, a virtual representation of the He Tohu document room and its three taonga tuku iho was created as an experiential treat and learning resource for those unable to visit the exhibition in person. This presentation explores the creation of the He Tohu VR experience.

Rene Burton

National Manager, Online, National Library of New Zealand

Jared Davidson

Senior Archivist Ohu Hāpori, Archives New Zealand

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