Technology Revitalizes History

In Moscow, a middle school has adopted an unconventional approach to teach history to students. To mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz concentration camp, nine students aged 13 to 16 journeyed to the memorial site in Poland.

Upon returning, they used XR (Extended Reality) photography technology to convey their insights, personal experiences, and emotional responses to the Holocaust. The project was guided by Denis Semionov, a Russian XR artist. By blending virtual and real-world elements through XR techniques, they produced compelling and dynamic visuals that transformed historical photographs into imaginative animations, symbolizing the victims' disappearance with hand-drawn silhouette portraits.

The initiative "Lessons from Auschwitz" stemmed from a social experiment designed to illustrate how young people engage with history and reinterpret historical narratives through digital art. This endeavor exemplifies the intersection of technology and design, making historical content more accessible and relatable to contemporary audiences. The immersive experiences offered by XR technology captivate younger viewers while also imparting emotional and inspirational significance, encouraging further exploration of the Holocaust.

This innovative design showcases modern educational techniques, garnering acclaim from the Red Dot Design Award jury and achieving recognition with the 2020 Red Dot Brand and Communication Design Award. Beyond the 3D graphics and short films that earned two Red Dot Awards, the virtual reality projects and films showcased on the website also received the prestigious Red Dot Best Design Award. "Lessons from Auschwitz" effectively demonstrates that engaging with history and vivid remembrances can be among the most exciting applications of VR and 360-degree panoramic media.

Section 1.1: Innovative Exhibition Design

The "Stories of Decline" special exhibition in Stockholm, Sweden, honoring 23 Holocaust survivors, impresses with its content and integrated technological design. The physical display features minimalist black and white posters displaying quoted texts, evoking the appearance of censored documents. Each poster includes a QR code, allowing visitors to access images, listen to interviews, or view portraits of the survivors through an AR application.

Subsection 1.1.1: A Meaningful Design Concept

The stark black and white aesthetic of this exhibition complements the previously hidden oral histories of survivors. As time passes, the significance of events people wish to remember may diminish, alongside any easily distorted textual descriptions. Transforming obscured words into QR codes serves to unlock knowledge. This clever fusion of creativity and content fully realizes the exhibition's theme.

Section 1.2: Expanding Communication Through Technology

The aforementioned uses of augmented and virtual reality technologies enhance previous communication methods, making narratives more engaging and immersive for audiences. While the realm of historical communication may be limited, it plays a vital role in leveraging these technologies. Moving forward, AR and VR will undoubtedly accompany us in future exhibitions, entertainment venues, and workplaces.