Virtual museum puts new spin on how we perceive art - KUAM.com-KUAM News: On Air. Online. On Demand.

Virtual museum puts new spin on how we perceive art

Posted: Updated:
 by Asha Robles

Guam - Wouldn't it be nice to walk through a prestige gallery in Italy and appreciate masterpieces from some of the greatest artists of all time?  

Island residents will now have the opportunity to view some of the world's greatest masterpieces like The Annunciation from Leonardo Da Vinci and Sacred Family by Michelangelo without having to purchase a plane ticket. The Uffizi Virtual Museum recently opened on Guam, showcasing replicas of some of the most well known paintings in art history.

Honarary vice consulate of Italy Robert Fracassini told KUAM News, "Unfortunately, it's not possible to bring those paintings outside the country so the Hitachi Company made an arrangement with the Uffizi Gallery in Florence to make these incredible reproductions, digitally remastered for these life-sized so they can be preserved in the future just in case of emergency and also just so they can transported around the world."

Since the Uffizi museum is completely free to the public, donations are being accepted to help with keeping the museum open until their last operating day in September. "We decided to have free admissions because we want to encourage people to come in more than once," Fracassini further explained. "Of course, without having an entrance fee we had to raise the money somehow and we have a few options. We have Kickstarter  we so far have been very successful, but please help us - go to Kickstarter Uffizi."

Asides from Kickstarter, the museum will also be holding a silent auction for paintings that were donated to the museum from local artists. Unlike other museums here on island, the Uffizi brings a new twist to the concept of appreciating masterpieces of art by allowing guests a more affordable way of experiencing the Uffizi gallery of Florence, Italy with a virtual experience.

"The masterpiece navigation basically is a 42" touchscreen TV, it's like a huge iPod, where the ten masterpieces they can be projected and interacted. You can enlarge it, zoom in it so you can see all the most incredible details. This is extremely educational to those people who are into the arts," he explained.

The Uffizi Virtual Museum is now open daily from 10am to 8pm on the 2nd floor of the Underwater World complex in Tumon. 

  • NEWS HEADLINESMore>>

  • Check out KUAM's voter precinct for cool info about voting in your village

    Check out KUAM's voter precinct for cool info about voting in your village

    We have all you need to help you need to make it to polls this Primary election Saturday. Just check out KUAM's voter precinct map. It allows you to click and browse the voting sites in your village. We also have several voting tips to make sure your expeMore >>
    We have all you need to help you need to make it to polls this Primary election Saturday. Just check out KUAM's voter precinct map. It allows you to click and browse the voting sites in your village. We also have several voting tips to make sure your expeMore >>

  • Feds kick-in funding to combat invasive species

    Feds kick-in funding to combat invasive species

    The U.S. Department of Interior announces a $1.5 million grant to tackle invasive species. Guam will receive $200,000 to eradicate and manage the little fire ant infestation in Santa Rita. According to DOI, 15 percent or 70 acres of the Coral ConservationMore >>
    The U.S. Department of Interior announces a $1.5 million grant to tackle invasive species. Guam will receive $200,000 to eradicate and manage the little fire ant infestation in Santa Rita. According to DOI, 15 percent or 70 acres of the Coral ConservationMore >>

  • DOE promises to fix-up Agat elementary school

    DOE promises to fix-up Agat elementary school

    It's not the only public school in need of fixing, but DOE officials are promising to fix-up Marcial Sablan Elementary School in Agat. This comes after Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo announces Guam DOE received a federal grant for $750,000. The grant spMore >>
    It's not the only public school in need of fixing, but DOE officials are promising to fix-up Marcial Sablan Elementary School in Agat. This comes after Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo announces Guam DOE received a federal grant for $750,000. The grant spMore >>
    •   
Powered by Frankly