Interactive Diorama: A virtual reality (VR) reconstruction of The Anatomy Lesson of Doctor Nicolaes Tulp by Rembrandt, 1632

This document describes some aspects of a design and research project undertaken during the years 2013-2017 by the Systems of Representation research group in the Department of Media at Aalto University in Finland. The objective of the work has been to create an interactive diorama based on the painting The Anatomy Lesson of Dr. Nicolaes Tulp. The diorama concept comprises a virtual reality simulation of the artwork in which several of the characters in the painting are re-created as 3D avatars and combined with other audiovisual media including sound and video. Using the HTC-Vive virtual reality system as interface, it is possible for a guest in an exhibition to extent enter the space of the painting itself and to interact with the characters. It is intended that the diorama will be displayed in diverse venues and to a large variety of audiences. This implies a challenge for which there is a need to develop new design knowledge. In this essay I argue that information architecture (IA) can be used in the structuring of the participant's experience as well as in the organizing and management of contents.