The world is a vast place. As such, it is not surprising that most of us are unable to experience even a fraction of the cultural and artistic heritage on offer; even more so in times of lockdown. Luckily for us, a new dawn of virtual reality has arrived.
Photo, Jessica Lews.
Virtual reality has grown from strength to strength over the past few years. YouTube’s ‘Virtual Reality’ Channel, for example, has millions of subscribers. A spokesperson from THEGOODESTATE explains how the channel supports both 360-degree footage; more recently also starting to promote 180-degree experiences, which allow heightened depth.
From contemporary art exhibition walkthroughs to to up-close-and-personal experiences of historical landmarks, virtual reality can immerse us in another world right from the comfort of our own living rooms. And, for many, this is preferable to hours of travel, or competing for vantage points in cramped museums or galleries. With this in mind, here are some of the most memorable virtual reality experiences, bound to both amaze and inspire.
Casa Azul. Mexico City, Mexico: Once home to the eccentric Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo, today Casa Azul—named after its cobalt-blue walls—is jam-packed with memorabilia. Luckily, you don’t need to travel far to take a digital tour of the house and its verdant garden. Settle in, grab a drink and enjoy this fascinating museum anytime and from anywhere with an internet connection. Don’t forget to take a peek at Kahlo’s canopied bed and several of her impressive artworks.
Casa Azul. Mexico City, Mexico. Photo, adrian alva.
The Natural History Museum. Berlin, Germany. Photo, Richard Mortel.
The Natural History Museum. Berlin, Germany: Click, drag and explore the Natural History Museum in Berlin without leaving the comfort of your country. The facility showcases over 30 million specimens, fossils, and other curiosities. Two of the museum’s most famous attractions include a specimen of archaeopteryx, the earliest known bird, and the largest mounted dinosaur skeleton in the world. Some of the museum’s other notable exhibits include an extensive meteor collection and the largest piece of amber in the world.
The Great Wall Of China. Photo, Hanson Lu.
The Great Wall Of China. Beijing, China: One of the grandest projects ever undertaken, the Great Wall of China dates back to the 7th century BC and stretches for over 3,000 miles. For those unlikely to travel to the Asian country in the near future, The China Guide (a Beijing travel agency) offers a virtual tour of the impressive structure on their website. The tour takes in around six miles of the wall from Jinshanling to Simatai and includes watchtower scenes.
Sistine Chapel. Vatican City: Always wanted to visit Vatican City, but never quite made it there. Well, now you can explore the Sistine Chapel without leaving your bedroom. Perhaps the most famous part of the Chapel is Michelangelo’s masterpiece, the Creation of Adam. The same website also offers a 360-degree tour of Vatican’s Raphael Room, famous for its stunning frescoes by the 16th century Italian painter Raphael.
Buckingham Palace. London, UK: Forget admission tickets because now you can explore the 775-room Buckingham Palace without spending a cent, or a pence. The impressive building has been the home of the royal family since 1873, and was initially constructed in 1703 for the Duke of Buckingham. Some of the fascinating bits and pieces to watch out for include the ornate Grand Staircase designed for King George IV and the Throne Room.
