Women looking at stereoscopic images during the second empire, 1852-1870

Victorian Reality

Tag iconProgram
when
Ended 19 Oct 2023
where
Ultimo

Victorian Reality is a new interactive experience by Powerhouse and UNSW iCinema created for the Meta Quest 2 headset. Now you can step back in time to the Victorian era using the magic of VR and augmented reality to virtually handle precious objects from the 1850s in the Powerhouse Collection.

Sketch of a Victorian stereoviewer
Hand with vector symbols above it
Outline vector of a VR headset

When you put on the Meta Quest 2 headset your hand movements in the physical world are tracked so you can interact with 3D objects in an extended reality, without using controllers. What will you discover about a museum object when you pick it up and bring its original purpose – and history – back to life?

In the 1850s, stereoscopic images were created by taking just two photos of an object or scene. Recently, we’ve taken thousands of photos of museum objects from all angles at high resolution to create 3D models that can be rotated, magnified and interacted with.

The stereoscopic viewing devices from the 1850s and 2020s look remarkably alike! Both technological innovations create a perception of depth, but only one will let you interact with virtual twins of objects from the museum’s collection.

SxSW 2023

Venue

On Gadigal land

Powerhouse Ultimo
500 Harris St
Ultimo NSW 2007

Plan your visit

Entry

Thursday
19 October 2023
5pm–9pm

Free VR experience. Limited space available.

Register for Powerhouse Late: SxSW

SxSW

This program was part of SxSW Sydney

Powerhouse Late: SxSW

Castle Hill 2023

Venue

On Bediagal land

Powerhouse Castle Hill
172 Showground Rd
Castle Hill NSW 2154

Plan your visit

Entry

Saturday – Sunday
7–8 October 2023
10am–4pm

Free VR experience. Limited space available, sign-up on the day. 

Accessibility

We encourage visitors with accessibility requirements to contact us via book@powerhouse.com.au or (02) 9217 0222 for help in planning your visit. We accept Companion Cards.

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