Shanghai Astronomy Museum Launched its First Batches of Digital Cultural and Creative Works

On June 9, 2022, Shanghai Astronomy Museum launched two pieces of digital collections on Jingtan Platform subordinate to Ant Group: "Bright Pallasite-IMILAC Meteorite" and "Scale Model of the World's Earliest Astronomical Clock-Water-driven Astronomical Clock Tower. Guests could bring these hot collections "back home".

In order to "transform" astronomical collections into digital cultural and creative works as perfect as possible, astronomical experts from Shanghai Astronomy Museum and designers from Shanghai Pilot Free Trade Zone International Culture Investment & Development Co., Ltd. repeatedly studied the details of digital difficulties in these two exhibits. Through concept re-creation, secondary design and 3D digital modelling, they fully presented the bright and mysterious material objects and employed digital technology to revive ancient science and technology. In this way, the audience and the collections could have a dialogue beyond time and space in the infinite network space, so as to learn about the past and look into the future.

The digital collections released based on block chain technology serve as a carrier for the digitalization of cultural and creative works. A unique identification is used through block chain to protect digital copyrights, so as to realize genuine and credible digital issuance, purchasing, collection, and use. Digital collections and physical collections belong to two worlds: the virtual world and the real world. Material objects, as the bond between the virtual world and the real world, are irreplaceable. Meanwhile, digital collections break the constraints of time and space, enable the audience to "approach" them, appreciate them, explore stories behind collections whenever and wherever possible, and revive such collections. Besides, the audience can immerse themselves in the scenario and experience the connotations of culture and spirit carried by these collections. In this way, a closer relationship will be established between the audience and the museum.

The release of digital collections by Shanghai Astronomy Museum added new vigor to the digital transformation of Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Looking into the future, Shanghai Science and Technology Museum will continue to implement the strategy for national culture digitalization, seek "audience demand"-oriented development, take the planning for an intelligent museum during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period as the blueprint, endow the museum with digital technology, activate cultural resources, actively promote digital transformation of culture, explore new forms of culture, new types of business and new models, creating a boundless and accessible platform for science popularization education, and play a valuable role in building a country with powerful culture.