CNRS
LALIBELA
SECTOR
Culture
TYPE
Mediation
PLATFORM
HoloLens 2
RELEASE
2021
Lalibela | Promoting cultural heritage with mixed reality
The Ethiopian site Lalibela comes to life with holographic animations!
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Lalibela is Africa’s largest Christian site. It is characterized by the presence of eleven churches cut in the rock. The innovation and experimentation required to build these churches make Lalibela a must-see in Ethiopia.
The objective of the Lalibela project is to promote Ethiopian heritage through a traveling exhibition which will begin in 2022 in Lalibela, Addis Ababa and Paris. The mixed reality experience immerses the visitor in the heart of the site while highlighting the historical, religious and aesthetic richness of the place.
Preserving the heritage
With Lalibela, HoloForge offers an exhibition rich in scientific and technological content that is part of an innovation process taking into account the complexities, logistical, security and rationalization issues linked to the exhibition of such a place.
In addition, given the geographical location of the site (erosion due to torrential rains), it is difficult to predict what will happen to the site. The preservation of this heritage therefore becomes a pressing issue.
Mixed reality at the crossroads of disciplines
HoloForge’s mixed reality experience is part of a larger multi-device exhibit. It is a great complement to the so-called “classic” elements of an exhibition to make the experience more complete, immersive and attractive.
It is by collaborating with “l’Agence Française de Développement”, “CNRS”, “Ministère de l’Europe et des affaires étrangères”, “Cap Sciences”, l’atelier “Forma Urbis” society and Animal Pensant that an exhibition as qualitative and innovative as that of Lalibela will be able to see the light of day.
We were able to witness this synergy between all these actors during a preliminary exhibition at Cap Sciences during the Archeology Days.
Discover the site, differently …
What does this mixed reality experience actually consist of?
Accompanied by a holographic companion, the user travels through the ages and discovers the history of Lalibela. From the first millennium until today, he learns more about the different geological and architectural phases of the site.
The second phase of the experience plunges us into Gyorgis, the most impressive cruciform church on this Christian site.
While the third phase provides more details on the religious and cultural context of this essential holy place for pilgrims.
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Any question?