#Japan #Tokyo #Tokyo National Museum #Auris #GATARI

Creating a New Standard for Exhibition Experiences

GATARI, a cutting-edge Japanese startup, is set to redefine the way we perceive art and cultural exhibitions. In collaboration with the Tokyo National Museum’s Horyuji Treasure Hall, they are introducing a groundbreaking immersive experience titled "Water and Prayer." This unique program utilizes GATARI's proprietary platform, Auris, to create a sound immersive environment that adapts to visitor movements and actions.

Transforming Audio Experiences from Information Delivery to Action Engagement

The traditional audio guide, a staple in museums and galleries since the 1950s, serves primarily as a one-way stream of information. Visitors typically select a number and receive explanations in a passive manner. However, GATARI's innovative approach shifts this paradigm. The Auris platform responds to visitors' movements, enabling an interactive relationship between them and the space around them. Instead of merely absorbing information, attendees can explore and engage actively with the environment.

This sound immersive experience aims not just to provide auditory content but to foster transformative actions—encouraging visitors to notice, explore, linger, and return. It's a new way to connect with cultural heritage that encourages curiosity and personal interaction with the exhibits.

An Intimate Journey into 1300 Years of History

The experience of “Water and Prayer” is exclusively available on closed days of the Horyuji Treasure Hall, offering a limited number of guests a chance to immerse themselves in a historical and sensory journey. Participants will enjoy a specialized kaiseki meal inspired by Horyuji, experience the rare incense of jinko, and listen to biwa music, all while reflecting on a timeline that spans over 1300 years.

Horyuji Treasure Hall, designed by renowned architect Yoshio Taniguchi, emphasizes the concept of water—a duality of tension and relaxation—making it a fitting setting for this immersive experience featuring artifacts from the Asuka and Nara periods. Surrounded by stillness and dim light, the treasures are further enriched when combined with the responsive elements of Auris, prompting guests to engage in new ways.

Guided by the Voice of Actor Kuranosuke Sasaki

Leading the audio experience is actor Kuranosuke Sasaki, who voices a celestial being, guiding visitors through time and space, connecting the modern-day audience with the narratives of the Asuka and Nara periods. As guests wander through the hall with headphones, they will hear the celestial being’s narration juxtaposed with Sasaki's natural voice, emphasizing a conversation across centuries.

Moving toward areas where sounds intensify allows visitors to encounter different narratives, making them pause in reflective silence, turning what was once a passive encounter into an active relationship with the Horyuji artifacts. The sculptures that may have been overlooked now demand attention, revealing deeper stories behind them, prompting a desire to learn more.

The Technology Behind Auris: A Gaming Engine Redesigning Reality

Supporting this innovative experience is Auris, a real-world gaming engine that operates without physical installations. By utilizing a smartphone, the system captures location and movement data in real-time, triggering immersive interactions based on guest actions throughout the Treasure Hall. The incorporation of sound and audio elements in a digital representation aligns with the physical space, offering an integrated storytelling experience whether accessed remotely or on-site.

The experience is crafted without the need for visual screens, allowing guests to focus on the artifacts and their surroundings as the celestial being’s voice intricately weaves through the complexities of the sculptures and their cultural significance.

Aiming to Transform Museum Experiences Worldwide

GATARI's vision is to redefine how audio serves as a gateway for visitor engagement in museums. By encouraging visitors to linger before exhibits and unearth the stories behind them, they aspire to transform museums into places that visitors want to return to again and again.

Starting with the Horyuji Treasure Hall, GATARI aims to expand this sound immersive format to various museums and galleries worldwide.

A Statement from Kazutaka Kono, Curator at the Tokyo National Museum

Kazutaka Kono emphasizes that the Horyuji Treasure Hall embodies the hopes and prayers of people across a millennium. The "Water and Prayer" experience invites guests to immerse themselves in this world of prayer through sound, allowing for a personal narrative to unfold as individuals walk and reflect. This innovative approach significantly broadens the possibilities of museum visits, paving the way for the future of exhibition experiences.

For more information on GATARI and their Mixed Reality platform, Auris, visit their official website: GATARI Auris.