Category: Factual & Arts TV; New Media
Date: 10.11.2005
Printable version
Unearth the mysteries and myths surrounding the discovery of Tutankhamun's tomb, follow in the footsteps of Howard Carter and undertake a journalistic journey - from 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham to the mythical lands of Egypt - in search of the truth behind the legend of the fabled Egyptian pharaoh.
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Throughout November, the Public Space at 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham, in partnership with Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and the Institute of Egyptology and Antiquity at the University of Birmingham, is trialling a new exhibition experience incorporating genuine artefacts and treasures dating back to ancient Egypt, 3500 years ago.
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The exhibition is based on and includes actual sets from the epic new 91Èȱ¬ ONE series, Egypt.
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The exhibition transports visitors on a magical mystery tour of exploration, as they take on the role of a correspondent from the fictional 'Gazette' newspaper, and are tasked with reporting on the opening of Tutankhamun's tomb, the mysterious curse, and the fate of those involved.
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During this interactive journey, each intrepid visitor is given a Twenties reporter's press card, allowing them to gain clues and information from computer stations set up along the way, and to help them compile the scoop of the century.
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As the reporters pursue their investigations, the press card tracks each visitor around the various exhibits and artefacts on display. At the end of the expedition, the reporter uses the press card to submit their findings to the editor of the 'Gazette' and receives their own, personalised front page print-out of the newspaper to take home, including all the facts and secrets uncovered along the way.
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The exhibition is being piloted by the 91Èȱ¬'s factual interactive team to explore how 91Èȱ¬ programmes and online content can be reused locally to provide extra context for regional museums and collections.
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For this trial, the exhibits are being displayed at the 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham Public Space to evaluate how the audiences react to this new type of experience.
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It's completely free and has only been achieved with the help and support of local institutions.
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In addition to the exhibit and interactive journey, there is also an amazing feature called 'Augmented Reality' - a camera that recreates one of the displayed ancient artefacts in 3D form for the visitor, projecting it onto a screen so it can be viewed and inspected without causing damage to the original piece.
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The 'Augmented Reality' machine also breaks down the 3D image and shows the visitor what is contained inside.
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Michael Danks, 91Èȱ¬ Factual & Learning, who's been designing the interactive experience, says: "I firmly believe in the power of the curse of Tutankhamun - visitors to the Public Space at 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham will get the chance to hear the story and have the chance to decide for themselves."
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Executive Producer, Marc Goodchild, explains that this is all about making 91Èȱ¬ content available where it's most relevant.
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"We have a responsibility to licence fee payers to make our shows more accessible, and this is just one of a number of projects looking at how we bring them to local audiences.
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"Regional museums and galleries already have strong relationships with their visitors; and if we can help enhance their collections with this sort of experience, it has to be worth exploring."
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Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery will also be holding Egyptian craft-making activities on 19 and 20 November, between 1.00 and 4.00pm in the 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham Public Space.
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The Public Space at 91Èȱ¬ Birmingham, situated in The Mailbox, is open from 9.30am to 7.00pm, Monday to Friday; 9.30am to 5.30pm on Saturdays;and from 11.00am to 5.00pm on Sundays.
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The Egyptian exhibit and interactive journey is open to the public for the whole of November, with trained individuals on hand to help with your quest.
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Come along and find out if the curse of Tutankhamun is fact or fiction.
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