2018 - Concept - Avatar problem
Term "Avatar problem" is a reference to the movie Avatar, where the visuals are stunning and mind-blowing, but they still feel somewhat disconnected from reality. The massive creatures and exotic landscapes in Avatar feel distant and not as emotionally impactful because they are entirely fictional and set in an unfamiliar world.
In contrast, movies like Independence Day, which feature real-world locations like the Eiffel Tower being destroyed by aliens, evoke a stronger emotional connection because viewers can relate to the real-life setting. Now, if we draw a parallel to virtual reality (VR) exhibits in museums, where the recreated environments of ancient geological worlds, though visually impressive, may feel "cartoonish" or disconnected because they depict creatures and environments that visitors have never seen before. These alien-like creatures, such as trilobites or ancient corals, may appear more like something imagined rather than something real, reducing the impact on the audience.
This is a key challenge of VR in museums. That's why I think that augmented reality (AR) could be a solution. By bringing these ancient creatures into familiar spaces like the museum or the visitor's environment, AR could make the experience feel more real and relatable, strengthening the connection between the visitor and the exhibit.
In contrast, movies like Independence Day, which feature real-world locations like the Eiffel Tower being destroyed by aliens, evoke a stronger emotional connection because viewers can relate to the real-life setting. Now, if we draw a parallel to virtual reality (VR) exhibits in museums, where the recreated environments of ancient geological worlds, though visually impressive, may feel "cartoonish" or disconnected because they depict creatures and environments that visitors have never seen before. These alien-like creatures, such as trilobites or ancient corals, may appear more like something imagined rather than something real, reducing the impact on the audience.
This is a key challenge of VR in museums. That's why I think that augmented reality (AR) could be a solution. By bringing these ancient creatures into familiar spaces like the museum or the visitor's environment, AR could make the experience feel more real and relatable, strengthening the connection between the visitor and the exhibit.