Monticello Through the Window

Abstract

We present a case study in the use of virtual environment technology for cultural heritage applications, describing a collaborative effort to construct two cultural heritage exhibits for a five month exhibition at the New Orleans Museum of Art. To illustrate the factors that shape museum exhibit design, we explore the initial conceptual phase and discuss our reasons for choosing certain designs. We describe the two exhibits that we built in turn, focusing on equipment and on robustness. Although little went awry during the exhibition, we explain how certain equipment did fail and how we had prepared for such crises by keeping spare equipment on-site. Finally, we report on the success of the undertaking and close with some thoughts and advice for researchers attempting similar museum-oriented projects.