In this insightful interview with Mladen Majdevac for SOS Heritage, we explore the groundbreaking work behind the Virtual Museum project at the Kruševac National Museum. Majdevac and DA Studio (Digital Alchemist Studio) have spearheaded an innovative digitalization effort, transforming museum exhibits into accessible online experiences. This virtual platform broadens audience reach and reshapes how we engage with history, making heritage available to people worldwide. Majdevac discusses the project’s inspiration, the collaborative efforts that brought it to life, and the unique ways in which digital exhibits are making cultural artefacts more interactive and inclusive. This conversation offers a fascinating look into the future of museum experiences and the evolving role of digital technology in preserving and sharing heritage.
What were the main goals you wanted to achieve with this virtual exhibition? How does it differ from a physical exhibition in terms of audience engagement?
When we began digitizing exhibits for the Kruševac National Museum, the initial digitalization was solely intended for their archive. However, the idea struck us to make our work, along with the exhibits, accessible to a wider audience. This sparked the development of the Virtual Museum platform. We presented the concept to the museum’s director, Nikola Pantelić, who agreed to allow us to use select exhibits for one of the exhibitions. This type of exhibition offers significant advantages, as a much broader audience can view it, including those who, for health reasons, may be unable to visit museums in person.
What tools or platforms did you use to develop the virtual exhibition?
In developing the platform itself, several next-generation digital tools were utilized. As the Virtual Museum is currently undergoing patent protection, we will be able to discuss it more once the entire process is complete. Mladen Majdevac, who led the digitalization project on our behalf along with DA Studio (Digital Alchemist Studio), created the entire platform with his team and adapted the artefacts for display on the platform.
Can you describe how the different members of the team collaborated? How were the responsibilities divided between researchers, designers, and developers?
The team involved in creating the platform was diverse, and we were fortunate that those who assisted us were passionate about history and fully committed to the project. The process was complex; Mladen Majdevac served as the link between the developers and creatives, given his extensive experience in both fields. This helped facilitate mutual understanding between the two groups
How did the virtual exhibition engage visitors differently compared to a traditional museum setting?
Visiting exhibitions like this offers a completely new experience, as a visitor in a physical museum cannot closely examine an artefact from all angles. Here, however, one can comfortably view the item from every possible angle, right from the peace of their own home.
To see the results of their work, visit https://virtuelnimuzej.com/en/