Pantheon

Living roots

Interactive Augmented Reality installation in the Pantheon of the National Museum in Prague

The story

Pantheon of the National Museum is one of the most noble historic places in Prague. It was designed by architect Josef Schulz in 1890. It contains 54 bronze statues of persons, that significantly contributed to the historic, cultural and science of Czech region. Pantheon has a special place in a mythology of Czech culture of 19th century.

The mission

To connect history and presence, we have created a concept for augmented reality installation, that brings unique experience in this special place.

Exploration

In the initial exploration concept art phase we have researched how to combine already complex and ornamental historic visual style of the Pantheon with added layer. At the same time we have started an intensive content study of the individual personas, that are presented in the Pantheon, including the rich historic background of the place. As a spot of cultural significance, with every regime shift, statues were moving in and out and the reason why they are in the Pantheon came from different reasons. Presented group is eclectic, spanning from science, politics, society and culture and also containging people from various times. Our goal was to identify the areas where they are overlaping, have some interaction or inspiration with each other and most imporantly find out where lies the connecting thread, that connects their heritage to presence. Key part was to find out what are the main values, that are still strong and present today.

Linden tree

Over the centuries, the linden tree became a deeply rooted national symbol for the Czech people. In early traditions, both the linden and the oak were venerated: the oak was seen as a masculine symbol, the linden as a feminine one.

During the Czech National Revival (19th century), symbolism shifted: the oak became increasingly associated with Germanic identity, while the linden was embraced as a symbol of Slavic heritage. The turning point came at the Pan-Slavic Congress held in Prague in 1848, where the linden was officially declared the tree of the Slavic peoples.

Supported by the symbolism of a tree and its roots, that are fitting analogy to the connection we have with our history, culture and its people we choose a tree to be the main component of the installation.

Themes

The virtual tree is standing in the middle of the majestic hall and it offers seven separate thematic views, that are underlined by a voiceover corresponding to each theme.

Tree | Science | Art | Truth | Homeland | Women | Money

Connections

Persons that have strong connection to the subject are highlighted and viewer can also study the network of connections between individual persons. Brief encyclopedia provides important information from their lifes and explains their relation to the whole story of national Pantheon.

AR technology

The augmented reality was developed as a module for „National Museum in Your Pocket“ mobile application by More is More. It included full 3D scan of the entire Pantheon and it utilized the augg.io framework to ensure reliable markerless localization. This invites visitors to immersive on-site experience, where they can interact with the installation, to discover the network of connections between individual statues and display detailed information.

Download app

Have your own experience with the AR installation in the National Museum in Your Pocket app. Standalone version of installation works everywhere, for a full experience visit National Museum in Prague, Czechia.

  • CONCEPT, ARTDIRECTION

    Daniel Špaček

    PRODUCTION
    Tereza Hussarová

  • AR INSTALLATION

    George Pinkava
    Martin Kaňůrek
    Marek Kulkovský
    Pavel Kašelják
    Pavel Matyáš

  • VOICE&SOUND

    Jana Plodková
    Jaroslav Plesl
    Jiří Havelka
    Matouš Godík


    3D SCAN
    Paul Safko

  • NATIONAL MUSEUM

    Martin Souček
    Karolína Kavan
    Adam Cironis
    Eva Ruferová
    Kristina Kvapilová
    Michal Stehlík
    Martin Sekera
    Michal Lukeš
    Jolana Tousson
    Adela Manns
    Miroslav Průša
    František Sion
    Michal Příhoda

  • NM IN YOUR POCKET APP

    Lukáš Strnadel
    Jana Šrotířová
    Matej Semančík
    Vojtěch Ryšánek
    Lukáš Balaževič
    Jakub Kotal
    Jakub Marek

  • INVESTOR

    Kateřina Martinková
    Monika Hovorková
    Slavo Marušinec