#AncientRome, AugmentedReality, AraComEra, AraPacis, Italy, Rome
“L’Ara com’era”. The Ancient Rome relives at the Ara Pacis with augmented reality. A unique interactive experience will give the visitor the feeling of being immersed in the scene at the time of the golden age of Augustus, thanks to the combination of real elements and virtual reality. The Ara Pacis (Altar of Peace in Latin) built between 13 and 9 BC to celebrate the Pax Romana, a period of peace and prosperity achieved by the Empire, appears to visitors in a whole new light, thanks to a careful work that has successfully combined technology and innovation with the art of museum management.
The project was organised by Zètema Culture Project and developed by Ett s.p.a. and it consists of a multi-sensory journey that, thanks to new technologies, brings back the visitor at the time of Ancient Rome. The visitor is equipped with a Samsung Gear VR viewer which is able to recognise the three-dimensional bas-reliefs and sculptures and combining the actual data with the virtual ones, it manages to recreate an immersive situation.
You can then see all the works of art that constitute the Ara Pacis, the bas-reliefs, with scenes of daily life represented in the sculptures and friezes, all proposed in a faithful reconstruction, with the same bright colours used at the time of Augustus to decorate and enhance the visual impact of the works of art.
The itinerary is divided into nine stages, starting in front of the model of the Northern Campo Marzio. The visit will take place in the evening as augmented reality works best in relatively dark conditions. This allowing to gain sharper images and more vivid colours.
The inauguration took place on 14 October 2016 and the exhibition will be open until 30 October 2017. An entire year then to have the opportunity to visit this unique exhibition. The tours can be booked online on the official website. The tour lasts 45 minutes and can be arranged in Italian, English, French, Spanish and German.