As part of the Open Heritage project, CyArk and Google Arts & Culture are creating 3D models of world heritage sites to learn and explore them – now in VR.
“We work on sites that are threatened from a number of factors, but more and more sites are really being impacted by climate change,” said Elizabeth Lee, CyArk’s VP of programs and development.
Using lasers and specialized photography, the Open Heritage project allows users to explore all manners of sites, from the earthquake-damaged temples of Bagan to the Monastery of Geghard in Armenia, and, to Mesa Verde in Colorado. Because of the regularly wildfires at Mesa Verde intensified by global warming, CyArk wanted to create a digital record for future reference – and now they can be explored using Google Cardboard.
Lee says it’s a way to help more people experience these historic places, and then get inspired to protect them.
“Earlier this year,” said Lee, “We launched a virtual reality app that allows users to travel to four different locations virtually and tour around them in fully scaled 3D models, and also learn about some of the challenges they face, including those from climate change.”
You can visit those locations, too – go to CyArk’s Sketchfab page, choose a model, click “View in VR”, and then slide your smartphone into your Cardboard viewer.
Thumbnail source: Google Arts & Culture
