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Ancient Hampi - The Hindu Kingdom Brought to Life

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Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of an ancient 14th century civilisation in the here and now.

Editorial

13 November-31 December 2008
Immigration Museum
400 Flinders St, Melbourne

Imagine being able to explore an ancient Indian civilisation from the comfort of a room in Melbourne; to navigate your way around a long-ago landscape and envelope yourself within an all-encompassing sensory experience.

As part of a 10-year celebration of the Immigration Museum, this is exactly what is on offer. Ancient Hampi: The Hindu Kingdom Brought to Life is a unique way of exploring one of southern India's most thriving cities and periods, the 14th-century Vijayanagara Empire.

Among a collection of archaeological fieldwork and traditional photographs of Hampi is the highlight of the exhibition, an entree into "virtual heritage". PLACE-Hampi is a room with a 360-degree panoramic view of the ancient city that can be navigated by viewers, who control a motorised platform in the centre of the room and explore the site through 3D images of the ancient city's landscape, temples and rocky platforms and its series of Hindu gods.

Sarah Kenderdine from Museum Victoria says that, "PLACE-Hampi is inspired by the beauty of the landscape and the richness of culture, mythology and history that's ever-present in the ancient city today. The way all the elements have come together - the photography, sound, archaeology and immersive technologies - is remarkable and has a profound and lasting impact on visitors".

Julianne Gill