Bringing Human History To Life

Kolkata’s Science City explored a 360-degree digital projection of human evolution as an innovative way to ensure more visitor footfalls to the museum

The evolution of mankind exhibition – displayed in a purposebuilt cylindrical hall – was conceptualised as a digital panorama.

Museums the world over are continuously figuring out newer and creative ways to attract visitors. After all, at a time when people can easily get all sorts of information on their digital devices – with video and even virtual reality experiences thrown in – ensuring that those footfalls keep coming in can be quite a challenge.

Kolkata’s Science City still manages to clock over 1.5 million visitors each year and it remains one of the most popular attractions in the Indian metropolis. It is not hard to see why: dedicated to bringing science to the general public, the centre spares no effort to amaze its audience.

To succeed in this endeavour, Science City continually tries to present various subject matters in an attractive manner. Having realised that putting traditional sculptures on display would not be enough, it has decided to use technology as leverage.introduce a large-format theatre, which was a huge success.

Recently, the centre decided to explore the possibilities of a digital projection with a 360-degree visual on human evolution at its Science Exploration Hall. The objective behind this venture was to cater less to the already well-educated and more to the masses who were keen to learn about mankind, albeit in a format that was not dreary or long-winded – characteristics that the public at large sadly attribute to museums.