Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Exciting exhibit
THE Iziko Slave Lodge Museum and Friends of Design Game Technology Class of 2018 have effectively simulated life in Ancient Egypt for Cape Town’s museum-goers.
Their custom-built, interactive, augmented reality (AR) exhibit launched last December and has been surprising, engaging and educating Iziko’s visitors ever since.
The KEMET Exhibit – Life in Ancient Egypt, to augment the AR exhibit, explores how life in Ancient Egypt helped to shape our world today.
“It tells us about the people of the time – their prejudices, perceptions, hobbies, fear of death and ability to create for survival,” said Iziko curator Esther Esmyol.
“KEMET investigates various themes relating to writing systems, science and technology, beliefs and religion, recreation and adornment, as well as professions in ancient Egyptian times.”
Targeted at Grade 5 pupils, the AR exhibit uses a downloadable smartphone app to add narration, movement and interactivity to a custom-built diorama. The result is a fun-forall-ages, memorable and three-dimensional learning experience that shines a light on life in Ancient Egypt while demonstrating the amazing opportunities of technology in the museum space.
“The KEMET exhibit is a great example of how versatile game technology can be,” said Andrew Barclay, head of game at Friends of Design.
“A lot of people think it’s just about building computer or console games, but if you look at something like augmented reality – which is only one of the modules that we teach – there are applications in everything from museums and education to architecture, engineering and medicine.”
Barclay said collaborations like the KEMET exhibit play a vital role in encouraging students and institutions to think outside the box when it comes to the application of game design skills.
“Our priority as an academy is to make sure our students are fully equipped to enter the working world when they leave our doors.”