In anticipation of the upcoming G-20 meeting, the Ministry of Culture has introduced a groundbreaking initiative: the Culture Corridor – G20 Digital Museum. This visionary project aims to showcase and celebrate the rich shared heritage of G20 member nations and invitee countries.
Rooted in India’s G20 theme, ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,’ and the Culture Working Group’s ‘Culture Unites All’ campaign, this project is set to make its debut at the Bharat Mandapam, the venue for the G20 Leaders’ Summit, on September 9, 2023. After the Leaders’ Summit, it will be open to the public, leaving a lasting legacy.
The Culture Corridor is a remarkable collaborative effort, uniting G20 countries in the creation of a dynamic and evolving museum experience. It serves as a dynamic platform for promoting cultural understanding, knowledge sharing, inclusivity, equality, and the sense of a shared identity. The museum will feature iconic and significant cultural artefacts and heritage from all G20 members and 9 invitee countries.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Thematic Curation: The exhibition will present a thematic curation of tangible, intangible, and natural heritage from G20 and invitee countries, reflecting their unique identities and millennia of cultural history.
Universal Cultural Ethos: The Culture Corridor will explore and highlight the universal cultural values that have guided civilizations and cultures, emphasizing the message of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One World. One Family. One Future.’
Diverse Categories: The submissions encompass five categories: Objects of Cultural Significance (physical display), Iconic Cultural Masterpieces (digital display), Intangible Cultural Heritage (digital display), Natural Heritage (digital display), and Artefacts Related to Democratic Practices (physical or digital display).
Global Participation: All 20 G20 member countries and 9 invitee countries have confirmed their participation, ensuring a comprehensive representation of global culture.
HYBRID MUSEUM OF THE FUTURE
The Culture Corridor is conceived as a hybrid museum of the future, blending physical and digital elements to provide a unique visitor experience. It will feature significant cultural artefacts from 29 countries, showcasing their artistry, skills, and historical significance. Immersive technology, including a 180-degree screen, will transport visitors into the realm of natural and intangible cultural heritage. A 12-foot digital cube will display iconic masterpieces through anamorphic content, also celebrating artefacts related to democratic practices throughout history.
This exhibition’s conceptual foundation lies in the evolution of museums, transitioning from collection-centric spaces to community-oriented and digitally driven experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this transformation, leading to innovative approaches that blend the past’s physical objects with the future’s technological language.
In essence, the Culture Corridor – G20 Digital Museum represents the evolution of museums into immersive and inclusive spaces, catering not only to local communities but to a global audience. It marries the richness of historical objects with the boundless possibilities of technology, ensuring that cultural heritage continues to thrive and inspire future generations.
