Experts gather at a forum to discuss the future of digitized museums in the age of the fourth industrial revolution, held at the National Museum of Korea on June 29. (National Museum of Korea)
By Xu Aiying and Lee Hana
Seoul | June 29, 2018
The digitalization of museums, a move that would allow us to see cultural artifacts anytime and anywhere, has become a major task for institutions.
On June 29, a forum to discuss the digitalization of national museums in the age of the fourth industrial revolution was held at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul.
Forum participants engaged in serious debates about topics such as the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into a museum’s services, the digitization of North Korean cultural artifacts, and the Google Arts & Culture project.
Hoseo University Professor Lee Jong Won predicted that the introduction of technologies like robot docents, personalized apps, and interactive VR content could add an additional 300,000 online visitors to the National Museum’s annual real-life count of 300,000 people, doubling the number of visitors.
Park Jin ho, a cultural heritage digital restoration specialist said, “North Korea is skilled in areas like the Internet of Things (IoT) and AI. This is a field that can be linked to the fourth industrial revolution.”
Park also suggested that the National Museum expand its cooperation with North Korea by setting up digital experience zones for North Korea artifacts, by conducting joint research into North Korean archeological sites, and by establishing shared inter-Korean exhibition spaces online.
Choi Seoyeon, a project manager at the Google Arts & Culture project said that his company’s art project platform was created by collaborating with Korea’s cultural heritage organizations, essentially making it a part of Korea’s heritage. Choi added that Google’s art camera allows people to visually experience some 130 artworks from the Joseon era, including decorative paintings, maps and astrological charts. Google’s VR technology allows people to visit Joseon royal courts, as well, he said.
Director-General Bae Kidong of the National Museum of Korea delivers the opening address at a digitization forum held at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul on June 29. (Kim Sunjoo)
Director-General Bae Kidong of the National Museum of Korea said, “The digitization of the museum means that anyone, regardless of their physical condition or their location, can visit the museum, thus increasing the value of the exhibition space. With the accumulation of big data related to arts and culture, we will have endless possibilities for our cultural industries.”
xuaiy@korea.kr
