The Zhijiang branch of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum in Hangzhou, East China, celebrated its opening with an outdoor technology showcase, highlighting its digitalized cultural relics. Thirteen exhibitions were opened at the new venue, including the ‘10,000 Years of Zhejiang – Zhejiang History and Culture Exhibition,’ which was a key attraction.
Chen Shuihua, curator of the Zhejiang Provincial Museum, mentioned that over 2,000 objects are displayed in the ‘10,000 Years of Zhejiang’ exhibition, which accounts for half of the total number of exhibits collected at the new venue. The use of advanced technology at the branch drew a large number of visitors. Notably, its special digital exhibition hall is one of the first exhibition halls for digital cultural relics established in China.
This innovative exhibition hall leverages 3D digital space modeling and other advanced technologies to offer visitors an immersive experience with the cultural relics. This approach promotes the innovative integration and development of digitalization in cultural relic protection. Additionally, to ensure that visitors can see the exhibits behind the glass more clearly, the new venue has introduced low reflection glass, which reduces light interference and significantly shortens the distance between viewers and cultural relics.
The new Zhijiang branch is expansive, covering a total of 100,000 square meters, three times the size of the main museum. The exhibition area alone spans 32,012 square meters. The hall features multi-functional experience exhibition areas that showcase a wide range of artifacts, from celadon wares and paintings to folk customs. “We plan to have 18 exhibition halls. Currently, we have 15 fully ready to go,” noted the curator.
The opening of the Zhijiang branch represents a significant milestone in the preservation and promotion of cultural heritage in Zhejiang Province. By incorporating advanced technologies, the museum is not only able to protect and preserve these precious relics but also make them more accessible and engaging for visitors. This innovative approach sets a new standard for museums and cultural institutions worldwide.
As museums and cultural institutions around the world grapple with the challenges posed by the digital age, the Zhejiang Provincial Museum’s Zhijiang branch serves as a shining example of how technology can be harnessed to enhance the visitor experience while preserving cultural heritage. This innovative approach is likely to inspire other institutions to explore similar avenues, ultimately contributing to the global effort to preserve and promote cultural heritage in the digital age.
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