St. Petersburg’s Hermitage mixes art, tech in immersive tour project

(MENAFN)
Russia’s State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg has partnered with tech company VK to launch an innovative digital experience called "One Museum. Three Views," allowing visitors to explore the museum through themed virtual tours.

Announced on Tuesday, the project offers three unique routes hosted by writer Sergey Minaev, comedian Evgeny Chebatkov, and pop singer Klava Koka. Designed to appeal to different age groups, the tours are accessible through a chatbot on the museum’s VK page or via QR codes placed throughout the galleries.

Covering 33 locations, the tours showcase both iconic and lesser-known parts of the museum. They include audio and video segments developed by Hermitage staff and the Hermitage-Media team, blending storytelling, history, and entertainment.

Minaev’s tour spotlights ceremonial halls like the Field Marshal and St. George Halls and reflects on the museum’s endurance during the WWII siege of Leningrad. Chebatkov adds a humorous lens to art history, analyzing how humor evolved in works like Velázquez’s "The Breakfast.”

Koka’s route, aimed at younger audiences, highlights hidden architectural details and musical themes. Her journey includes stops at the Leonardo da Vinci Hall and the Skylights, with insights from Hermitage conservators.

All tours conclude at the Rastrelli Gallery, where visitors can engage with digital art tools—creating self-portraits, exploring art through interactive media, and experimenting with digital painting.

Museum director Mikhail Piotrovsky praised the project as a groundbreaking fusion of art and technology that invites deeper public interaction.

The Hermitage, home to over 3 million cultural items, is one of the world's largest museums. VK, Russia’s top tech platform, reaches more than 95% of the country’s internet users.

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