ANIMA
Bringing Museum Artifacts to Life
The Gesellschaft für Technische Visualistik mbH, cura3D GmbH und Co. KG, and the IXLAB at the Technical University of Dresden, together with the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden as an associated partner, are launching a joint research project to bring originally mobile artifacts to life using AR, VR, and XR technologies.
Bringing Artifacts to Life
The puppet theater collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden comprises over 100,000 objects—including historic and modern puppets, costumes, stage sets, scripts, photos, and videos—and tells the diverse history of puppetry. Its full potential often only becomes apparent when experienced in motion or in performance. In the ANIMA project, we are developing new ways to bring these objects to life digitally in a mixed reality environment. Through supplementary information, interactions, and virtual movements, new approaches to the collection emerge—vibrant, accessible, and future-oriented.
Immersive Interactive Experiences
At the heart of the project is the question of how formerly mobile objects can be presented—particularly in conjunction with multi-user mixed reality technologies. While conventional media stations often function separately from the actual exhibit, mixed reality applications enable a direct connection between virtual content and real objects. The spectrum ranges from simple supplementary information and digital extensions to animated and interactive scenarios. The goal is to develop flexible multi-user presentation formats for annotated and animated 3D objects that can be deployed in various usage contexts—including accessible formats. The use of modern web technologies is intended to help keep barriers as low as possible for museums and enable simple, low-maintenance distribution.
Anima HUB for 3D Objects
How can 3D objects be communicated more easily? And how can modern methods for capturing and processing objects be utilized even more effectively? Can techniques from the entertainment industry—such as AI-supported animation—also be applied in other fields? We are exploring these questions and developing a digital hub: a central platform through which 3D models can be flexibly managed, expanded, and prepared for various applications. The focus is on the technical foundation for data exchange and the ability to adapt the platform to future requirements.
Results
Our team has comprehensively engaged with the digitization of mobile objects and built core competencies in AR, VR, and XR technologies. Based on exemplary captured artifacts from the collection of the Staatliche Kunstsammlungen Dresden and through the development and evaluation of various proofs of concept with potential users, a nuanced understanding has been developed of how historic mobile artifacts can be adequately digitally accessed, communicated, and made experienceable.
The focus is on the question of how such objects can not only be visually presented but also made interactively experienceable in their material, functional, and performative properties. At the same time, particular emphasis is placed on ensuring that the developed approaches meet both the practical requirements of museum institutions and provide sustainable added value for visitors. Guiding criteria included flexibility, accessibility, reusability, and transferability of the developed solutions. The insights gained in the project were continuously documented, reflected upon, and made accessible through scholarly publications.
