Two immersive exhibitions on the famous Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun land almost simultaneously in Brussels and Antwerp. Both experiences invite visitors to discover Ancient Egypt through the exploration of the life and legacy of the legendary young king, as well as the lavish treasures that filled his tomb. While produced independently, both make use of virtual reality (VR) to immerse the visitors into ancient Egyptian civilisation. The first, Tutankhamun: the immersive exhibition, opened on 23 May in Terminal 1 of Brussels Expo in Heysel. It explores
the Valley of Kings in Luxor where many of Egypt’s pharaohs were buried. They included Tutankhamun (1342 BC-1323 BC), whose tomb was discovered during an expedition led by British Egyptologist Howard Carter in 1922. The first part is composed of a gallery displaying narrative panels and reconstituted funerary objects found in the burial site, allowing everyone to be familiar with the complex history. For example, visitors can admire a replica of the sarcophagus and the funeral mask of Tutankhamun. The second section employs VR to
reenact Tutankhamun’s spirit leaving his tomb and joining the other world to face judgement from the gods. Finally, a VR walkthrough allows you to explore the Valley of Kings and Howard Carter’s archeological camp site. It also enables visitors to virtually touch, discover and listen to objects while navigating the camp and the tomb. The second exhibition, Treasures of Tutankhamun, opens on 29 May at the Digital & Interactive Venue (DIVE) in Antwerp. It is divided into three different levels; the first proposes a more
classic approach via a series of reconstituted objects and galleries linked to the first Egyptologist expeditions. The aim is to dive into the pharaoh’s heritage by following the footsteps of Carter when he first accessed Tutankhamun’s tomb. A documentary film was made specifically for the exhibition to recreate the opening of the secret chamber in the King’s Valley. Taking advantage of the venue, Belgium’s first digital art and immersive experience centre, the following two levels are dedicated to sensorial immersion. One of them offers a
30 minute digital tour, offering a 360° view of 3,000 years of Ancient Egyptian history. The last comprises a 12 minute immersive VR walkthrough in the footsteps of Tutankhamun as he faces judgment in the afterlife. “The question is not whether to integrate this type of experience into an exhibition, but how. The images in an immersive film possess considerable psychological power. Immersion is not a substitute for science: it is its sensory extension,” explains Dr Wolfgang Wettengel, Egyptologist and curator. Tutankhamun: the immersive exhibition
Terminal 1 – Brussels Expo Place de Belgique 1 Laeken Treasures of Tutankhamun DIVE Carnostraat 90 Antwerp Photos: (main and second image) ©Tutankhamun: the immersive exhibition; other images ©Treasures of Tutankhamun
Tutankhamun, immersive exhibition, virtual reality, Brussels Expo, Antwerp DIVE, Howard Carter, Valley of Kings, Ancient Egypt, funerary objects