A groundbreaking collaboration between three distinguished museums – Tāmaki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum, the National Museum of Australia, and the Western Australian Museum – is set to reshape the way visitors experience exhibits. In an unprecedented move, these institutions have partnered with the renowned production company White Spark Pictures to create a series of awe-inspiring virtual reality (VR) films that will take museum-goers on immersive journeys. The films, slated for debut in 2024, promise to merge cutting-edge technology with captivating storytelling, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of exhibition.
The partnership marks a content world-first, with the three museums contributing a combined total of $1 million over three years. This collaborative endeavor not only expands the horizons of VR production but also opens up new realms of creativity for VR content development. The films will allow visitors to experience a 360° cinematic adventure in stunning 4K resolution, offering a multisensory exploration that will leave a lasting impact.
The visionaries behind these films, White Spark Pictures, have gained international acclaim for their work. Their recent production, “Beyond the Milky Way,” is set to premiere in London this month (July 2023), while “The Antarctica Experience” has shattered records, grossing over $1 million at museum box offices.
These new documentary-style VR films are set to transport audiences to remote and difficult-to-reach locations. The films include “The Kimberley VR Experience,” a breathtaking journey through waterfalls, coastlines, and the heart of the ancient Kimberley landscape; “Journey of the Giants,” an immersive dive into the world of whales, exploring their migration and history; and “The Kermadec Islands,” an opportunity to experience a pristine marine wonderland in the South Pacific Ocean.
The first film, “The Kimberley VR Experience,” will make its debut at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Boorloo/Perth in the latter half of 2024. This immersive exploration of Western Australia’s Kimberley region will offer visitors a chance to virtually traverse its rugged and stunning landscapes.
Briege Whitehead, the founder and creative director of White Spark Pictures, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating, “We applaud their innovative approach to engage with audiences, delivering shared immersive experiences in a way like never before.” The collaboration aims to enhance visitors’ understanding of the world by placing them at the core of these compelling narratives.
The fusion of technology and art is set to revolutionize the way museum-goers experience exhibitions. With these VR films, these three institutions are spearheading a new era of immersive storytelling, offering a glimpse into the exciting future of museum interactions.
