National Museum of Nature and Science
The National Museum of Nature and Science, an independent administrative institution, will be holding a fully virtual special exhibition, "Alpine Plants," which can be experienced in an online virtual reality (VR) space from Monday, November 18th.
This exhibition will introduce the beautiful alpine plants that color the summer mountains through a virtual experience that can be toured regardless of the season. The setting is Mt. Hakuba in the Northern Alps. A "virtual Mt. Hakuba" that can be climbed at any time has been recreated in a VR space. This is the first content that allows you to experience alpine plants that change with altitude and topography in a VR space while enjoying the mountain scenery and topography from a climber's perspective. Even those who have no experience of climbing can easily enjoy Virtual Mt. Hakuba. In addition, content introducing the imminent threat to alpine ecosystems and the museum's efforts to overcome this threat, such as the cultivation and conservation of alpine plants outside their natural habitat, will be released at a later date.
This exhibition shares the same theme as the special exhibition "Alpine Plants – The Diversity of High-Rise Flowers and the Connection of Life" held at the Ueno Main Building, and is an initiative that allows people to experience alpine plants not only in the exhibition room but also online.
・Background to the virtual exhibition
The National Museum of Nature and Science has been utilizing digital technology, which has been developing in recent years, to offer "Experience at Home! Kahaku VR," which allows visitors to view exhibits anytime, anywhere, since 2020. Furthermore, since 2023, a "Virtual Exhibition Room," which is different from the real-world exhibits, has been set up online, and full virtual content such as "Exploring Square Compass VR" and "Creating Electronic Musical Instruments" has been released.
This time, we will share the same theme as the special exhibition "Alpine Plants – The Diversity of Flowers of High Mountains and the Connection of Life" held at the Ueno Main Building this year, and will utilize the accumulated VR technology to make it possible to enjoy learning about alpine plants, which are often difficult to see, anytime and anywhere. The main points of the real Northern Alps' Mt. Shirouma will be reproduced in 3D models taken from aerial photography by drone, and you can enjoy the diverse appearance of alpine plants while experiencing the landscape and terrain from a climber's perspective, which is different from the exhibition room. We will introduce not only the charm of alpine plants, which change depending on the altitude and terrain, but also the critical situation they are in. Because the alpine ecosystem is facing a crisis, there are also efforts by the museum to overcome it. In particular, you will learn about ex situ conservation activities, which cultivate and conserve alpine plants outside their natural habitat. We hope that this small and beautiful plant will be an opportunity to learn about various environmental issues, such as biodiversity.
Event summary
[Sponsor] National Museum of Nature and Science, Independent Administrative Agency
[Permanent period] From November 18, 2020 (Monday) onwards
[Release Schedule]
Monday, November 18, 2024: "Chapter 1: Virtual Mt. Hakuba" released the scene of the upper part of the large snowfield (Autumn Path)
Friday, November 29, 2024 (planned): Four scenes from "Chapter 1: Virtual Mt. Hakuba" will be released: the flower fields, the summit lodge to Hakuba Mountain Lodge, the summit of Mt. Hakuba, and the area around Mt. Asahi.
December 2024 (planned): "Chapter 2: Crisis and Conservation of Alpine Ecosystems" will be released
[Fee] Free
Supervisor: Yoshinori Murai (Chief Researcher, Biodiversity Analysis and Conservation Group, Plant Research Department, National Museum of Nature and Science)
[Supported by] Omachi City Museum of Mountaineering, Hakuba Goryu Alpine Botanical Garden, Hokkaido University Botanical Garden
[Exhibition location] National Museum of Nature and Science Virtual Exhibition Room
https://www.kahaku.go.jp/3dmuseum/alpineplants/
[Devices that can be used to watch] PC (web browser), smartphone, tablet, VR goggles, etc.
・Exhibition composition
[Chapter 1 Virtual Mt. Hakuba]
Mt. Hakuba in the Northern Alps, a treasure trove of alpine plants, has been recreated in a VR space using a 3D model created from drone footage and 360-degree footage. The video starts with footage of Sarukura and Hakubajiri, then takes you up five points on the "Virtual Mt. Hakuba" – the upper part of the Oyukikei (Autumn Path), the flower fields, the summit lodge – Hakuba Sanso, the summit of Mt. Hakuba, and the Asahidake area – and you can experience the diversity of alpine plants that changes with altitude and terrain.
[Chapter 2: Crisis and conservation of alpine ecosystems]
Beautiful alpine plants are in a critical situation, and conservation efforts are underway. This exhibition introduces alpine plants that are conserved outside of their natural habitat, as well as animals closely related to alpine plants, and shows how protecting alpine plants not only protects plants, but also leads to the conservation of the diversity of the entire environment. This exhibition also focuses on "living specimens" (living collections) related to conservation, and how museums contribute to the conservation of these ecosystems.
・Virtual guided tour
A virtual guided tour will be held at Chapter 1 Virtual Mt. Hakuba by the exhibition's curator, Yoshinori Murai. We are preparing a tour that will allow visitors to enjoy the exhibition even more. Details will be announced as soon as they are finalized.
[Agency for Cultural Affairs] Press Release
Article provided by: Kokosil Ueno
See other exhibition information
