Sacred Spaces

Functionality & Mechanism

This virtual exhibit guide from the Smithsonian's Freer|Sackler Galleries augments the 'Encountering the Buddha' exhibition. The platform provides virtual access to the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room, featuring objects from the Alice S. Kandell Collection. For in-gallery visitors, the app delivers contextual information that complements the immersive experience. For remote users, it functions as a standalone educational tool, facilitating exploration of Tibetan Buddhist art, its sacred objects, and associated practices through detailed descriptions and content.

Development & Context

• The app was developed as a digital media resource for the museum's three-year exhibition, 'Encountering the Buddha: Art and Practice across Asia'.
• This exhibition and its associated digital tools were made possible by a grant from The Robert H.N. Ho Family Foundation.
• News coverage notes the exhibition was conceived to test innovative methods of displaying Buddhist art, juxtaposing immersive spaces with traditional displays.
• The app's primary content was written by the exhibition's co-curator to serve as a comprehensive resource on the shrine's objects and Himalayan shrines.

Intended Use & Scope

This app is intended for museum visitors and individuals interested in Buddhist art history. It serves as an educational reference, providing curatorial context to understand the objects and practices depicted within the shrine room. Information presented is based on curatorial expertise as described in news coverage, not on formal efficacy studies or peer-reviewed research.