Virtual World of the Russian Museum
"Museum in computer, computer in museum"
(educational and entertainment computer center)
In the Western Corps de Guards pavilion that is a part of the Michael's (Engineers') Castle ensemble will be created the computer center on the museum collection's base that would be called "The Russian Museum Virtual World". This will be a mini-museum of a new type, namely the 21st century museum that will be founded on the latest achievements in the information technology field.
Three-stored building of the Corps de Guards pavilion (with the total area 1150 sq. m.) provides many opportunities: good territorial location, closeness to the main museum complex will make it the favorite and comfortable place for citizens' rest. Absence of interiors' historical design in the building of service character will allow to make a full re-planning and make information blocks, rooms for studies and rest.
Formation of computer center of this kind will give possibility to make the museum closer to visitors and specialists as well as present the latest achievements in modern information technologies' field.
As there are three stores in the Corps de Guards building we plan to create the computer center of three levels, that will satisfy needs of various visitors' categories.
- The main museum's information computer center will be meant for usual museum visitors and specialists who came to the Computer center to have a general acquaintance with the museum, exposition and history of Russian art.
- Educational and game center - for visitors with children, teenagers and youths who came to rest and have fun.
- Viewing, exhibition and methodic center - for specialists in the latest museum technologies field and closely-related disciplines who are interested in information concerning the museum activity of various aspects as well as activity of firms producing equipment and technologies.
Ground floor in the planned system will be a "virtual entrance" to all the palaces of the Russian Museum complex. There every visitor with the help of obtained information will make decision of possible route on the museum complex viewing or acquaintance will be limited by the Computer Center's "virtual collection".
It is supposed that ticket will give possibility to view one or all the palaces of the State Russian Museum complex.
The main component of the ground floor will be the large information zone that will include information stands, monitors with video films and museum shop.
We also planned the net of supplementary requiring payment services. For instance one can get color printer copies - reproductions of images this one liked; digital photos "mounted" in famous works; certificates of visiting the museum etc.
Visitor will have all sorts of information concerning the State Russian Museum, there will be offered viewing of "virtual" exhibitions: reviews of current exhibitions, archive of past ones and announce of future ones. There will be given possibility to get acquainted with the museum CD collection.
For equipping the information zone of such scale (proceeding from the world museum practice) we will need 10-12 information blocks.
We will need computer class of open access for specialists. Entrance will be for limited quantity of visitors according to preliminary list of appointments (analogous to the Internet center).
Resources of the free access class:
- the Russian museum electronic catalogue;
- electronic catalogue of museums of Russia
- Internet thematic resources;
- resources of the State Russian Museum library and other libraries and museums of the town (within the limits of the computer net on the town scale for cultural institutions that was formed in the course of the Soros Fund projects realization);
- the State Russia Museum methodic working out;
- lectures and concerts complex resources
etc.
Approximate cost of the project (including expenses on program content creating) - $ 200 000
First floor - thematic game and entertainment center for adults and children. The main contents are computers and electronic attractions with game programs that thematically are close to fine arts and architecture. Various kinds of test programs will be also available. One can check his erudition in art field. Winners will be rewarded with the museum's souvenir production. The main task is to keep fascination of electronic games that are so popular among children and youths and at the same time make them less aggressive, while cognitive and educational. Admission could be realized with the museum tickets of recent prescription (up to week).
We will need 8-10 computers, game automates and attractions to equip game and entertainment center.
Approximate cost of the project (including expends on program content creating) - $ 100 000
Second floor - information zone for specialists.
Viewing rooms, information and methodic center of the latest museum technologies (methodic center for museums of Russia); exhibition halls for up-to-date equipment, "technologies of tomorrow" (leasing halls to interested in market producing firms and providers).
Exhibitions' thematic is various use of computers in museum life. Demo versions of fund, registration and restoration programs. Climatology and other control of the museum building complex, guarding and signalization (as far as possible), passport regime, demonstration of publishing activity possibilities with the use of up-to-date supports etc.
To equip information zone for specialists we will need 8-10 computers with equipment (printers, scanners, digital photocameras, recording facilities)
Approximate cost of the project - $ 75 000
All computers and information stands that are the apparatus equipment of the Computer center will be switched to the common computer net of the State Russian Museum and will have access to common data bases that are kept on servers.
Total cost of the project - $ 375 000
The Program accepted by:
- Academic Council of the State Russian Museum on 8 June, 1999
- Misistry of Culture of the Russain Federation on 25 June, 1999
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