History meets technology in Warwick’s “Windows into the Past” shop front exhibition
Warwick District Council has partnered with local company RiVR (Reality in Virtual Reality) to create the interactive “Windows into the Past” history exhibition in an empty retail unit on Market St.
Famous historic buildings and objects across Warwick have been scanned by RiVR using a process called photogrammetry. Thousands of photos are taken from multiple angles and stitched together into a fully interactive 3D model. The exhibition, installed in the former TSB unit on Market Street in Warwick, allows people to scan QR codes using their phone to fully interact with these models, with the ability to zoom in and examine them in detail.
The Lord Leycester Hospital, Warwick Castle, Randolph Turpin’s statue, items from Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum’s extensive collection and a full model of the town as it looked in Medieval times can all be scanned and interacted with.
People will also be able to place these models into real-world environments through augmented reality, allowing you the opportunity to put the Lord Leycester Hospital on your dining room table or the painting ‘The Prodigal Son’ by Abraham Bloemaert on your living room wall.
Councillor Liam Bartlett, Cabinet member for Culture, Tourism and Leisure, said: “We’ve been presented with an opportunity to maximise our town centre spaces in new and unique ways, allowing people to explore the history and heritage of this wonderful town with an immersive experience.
“Technology and history are the perfect pairing, allowing people to interact with buildings and objects, up close and personal, in ways they never usually could. The process of photogrammetry perfectly preserves the detail of our historical objects and buildings for future generations to enjoy.”
Brothers Alex Harvey and Joe Harvey, co-founders of RiVR, added: “Having grown up in Warwick it has been a pleasure to mix work with our passion for history. We’re looking forward to sharing this new technology with more people, by integrating these experiences into historic locations in the area.
“Working with forward thinking sites such as The Lord Leycester Hospital, Leamington Spa Art Gallery & Museum, Warwick Castle, Market Hall Museum and St Mary’s Church, our aim is to put Warwick and the surrounding area on the map as a pioneering area for digital historical interpretation.”
The project has been made possible thanks to the team at RiVR, Littlefish Creative and with funding from HM Government’s Welcome Back Fund which utilises the European Regional Development Fund.
The artwork will remain in place for the next few months as part of Warwick District Council’s CultureFest, which celebrates the arts and heritage venues, artists, and creatives in the District during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Data charges will apply if scanning the QR codes using your data network connection.
