Snapchat and Louvre together for a new look at ancient Egypt with augmented reality experiences

Snapchat ’s AR Studio and the Louvre present Egypt Augmented, a series of innovative and educational augmented reality experiences to be enjoyed in the Egyptian Antiquities Department and the Cour Carré of the Parisian museum, thanks to technologies offered by Snap.

It will be possible to scan, with your smartphone or through your Snapchat camera, the QR code located on the work’s plaque to activate augmented reality experiences, which will be available for a limited period of one year. Let’s see what these experiences consist of: Naos of Amasis, the faded pink granite bas-reliefs on the four sides of the Naos reappear to be rediscovered and admired by visitors. The statue of the god Osiris receiving ritual offerings and daily worship behind the wooden doors of the naos, a small chapel set up in the most secret part of the temple, thus regains its original place and function; the Hall of the Ancestors returns to full color, with bright pigments imparting luminosity, paying homage to the dynasties of kings that preceded Pharaoh Thutmose III on the throne of Egypt; the Zodiac of Dendera, the ceiling relief of the vault, inspired by Babylonian, Egyptian and Greco-Roman models, is unveiled in 3D, with an explanation of its purpose. To actualize the augmented reality experiences, it is necessary to scan the QR code on the work’s tag, point the external camera at the selected work to unlock the experience, select ’Learn More’ to be redirected to the Louvre’s website for more information. Finally, you can share the experience via Snap, on Stories or on Spotlight.

These augmented reality experiences reveal shapes, materials, colors and decorations that have disappeared over time, showing artworks in a new light. The AR Studio team, working closely with curators from the museum’s Department of Egyptian Antiquities, has been able to design three-dimensional reconstructions of missing elements, virtually restore original pigments and create masks from a body of archives and historical references.

“Snap’s AR Studio was created to educate and inspire the world about the possibilities of augmented reality in art, education and culture. We are honored to have been able to partner with one of France’s most emblematic cultural institutions, the Louvre Museum, to use our technologies to unlock some of the secrets of Egyptian antiquities,” commented Donatien Bozon, AR Studio Director. “With more than 250 million people worldwide interacting with Snapchat’s augmented reality every day, its use is booming and evolving by the day, particularly toward educational and cultural uses. Through these augmented reality experiences, we wanted to offer new perspectives on cultural contemplation at the Louvre Museum, providing visitors with an interactive and immersive experience that deepens the discovery of works of art.”

“We are delighted to collaborate with Snap’s AR Studio on this unique augmented reality experiment. A plunge into the splendor of ancient Egyptian masterpieces that is also a fantastic discovery and mediation tool for all our visitors,” said Laurence des Cars, director and president of the Louvre. “This collaboration underscores how new technologies can support the Louvre in its mission to remain a place where people get excited, where they learn to see, and where knowledge is transmitted in ever-changing ways.”

In September 1822, Jean-François Champollion used the Rosetta Stone to find the key to decipher Egyptian hieroglyphics. In 1830, in recognition of Champollion’s service to Ancient Egypt, Egypt’s viceroy, Mehemet Ali, announced that he would offer Charles X and France the two obelisks erected in front of the Temple of Amun in Luxor. Initially it was planned to place the obelisks in front of Perrault’s colonnade on the eastern facade of the Louvre Museum, before Jean-François Champollion imagined placing an obelisk in the museum’s square courtyard. The only obelisk transported to France was finally erected in the Place de la Concorde on October 25, 1836.

To pay homage to Champollion’s original vision, the 222-ton Concorde granite obelisk is now virtually installed on its original plinth in the center of the Louvre courtyard, thanks to augmented reality and Snap’s Custom Landmarker technology. To activate the experience in the Cour Carr&e acute;e, one needs to scan the QR code found near the fountain or open the Snapchat camera, point the smartphone at the Cour Carrée fountain to see the obelisk appear and decipher the hieroglyphs thanks to augmented reality, select ’Learn More’ to be redirected to the Louvre’s website for more information. And finally you can share your experience via Snap, on Stories or on Spotlight.

AR Studio and the Louvre, however, wanted to offer an experience that would also be accessible to Snapchatters around the world. Thanks to a special Facial Lens, Snapchatters will be able to step into the shoes of an ancient Egyptian man or woman, wearing 3D reconstructed funerary masks that are faithful to those on display at the museum. To activate the experience at home, one must open the Snapchat app, select the “Egypt Augmented - The Masks” Lens available in the Lenses carousel. You can try the different masks in selfie mode or have your friends try it with the external camera. Select ’Learn More’ to be redirected to the Louvre website for more information. And finally you can share your experience via Snap, on Stories or on Spotlight.

Snapchat and Louvre together for a new look at ancient Egypt with augmented reality experiences

Warning: the translation into English of the original Italian article was created using automatic tools. We undertake to review all articles, but we do not guarantee the total absence of inaccuracies in the translation due to the program. You can find the original by clicking on the ITA button. If you find any mistake,please contact us.