DGC Blog

So on February 8^th New Media Director, Brain Porter, took our class through many exhibitions, upcoming attractions, and gave us a brief history of how the ROM is utilizing technology to engage its visitors. The first point of interest was the digital gallery where we had a chance to view ancient artifacts through a touch screen. The concept makes total sense when you want to preserve these historic items while having the ability to have infinite number interactions with the audience but it does take away from the total experience of being in the presence of the actual artifact, nonetheless quite impressive. Brian then discussed the obstacles and achievements that the ROM had integrating a digital feel and value to visiting the ROM.

What I found interesting about the ROM, made possible through Brain’s walk through was that the ROM itself is quite large in what it contains, far beyond (5million items if I remember correctly) what I expected but also it has multiple projects running but requires massive funding from the government and the public. It makes you really appreciate the value of having the ROM in the first place otherwise people would just assume it will always be there. Choosing this institution as a charity and donating money towards it would really make a difference now the only dilemma for me would be to pick this over my favorite jazz station (91.1 Jazz FM) as the recipient. Tough call.

We then moved onto the Dinosaurs exhibit where touch screens were used again but with audio to boot, nice. I had an enjoyable time walking around the exhibit and taking a few pictures of the fossils. Being inside the new part of the ROM , the Lee-Chin Crystal was very satisfying partly because I’ve spent a couple of hours before its launch on Bloor street in bumper to bumper traffic due to construction.

All in all the tour was refreshing and humbling which all Ontarians should at least experience once.