Source: CCTV.com

03-20-2008 10:30

Imagine if you could step into Da Vinci's 'The Last Supper' or Michelangelo's 'The Last Judgment' and be able to talk to the characters. Just picture chatting with Andy Warhol about Marilyn Monroe. A new exhibition at the Alive Gallery in Seoul has made that fantasy a reality.

Just picture chatting with Andy Warhol about Marilyn Monroe. A new exhibition at the Alive Gallery in Seoul has made that fantasy a reality.

This exhibition combines works of art with 3-D imaging and voice recognition technologies. The result? Visitors can have virtual conversations with the creators of artistic masterpieces about their art.

Kim Hyun-Jung, curator of Alive Gallery, said, "The Alive Gallery is the world's first exhibition that displays works of art with Korean IT technologies. The most special feature of the gallery is that all the exhibits are three-dimensional animations with magic visions and holograms, that allow the works of art to come alive."

On display are 62 works from ancient to contemporary times, including the ancient Greek statue, "the Venus de Milo," Jean Francois Millet's "The Angelus," and Andy Warhol's "Marilyn Monroe."

S.Korea displays hologram art

Michelangelo is virtually on hand to explain how he created "The Last Judgment," while Jesus and his Disciples chat amongst themselves in "The Last Supper."

Even the Mona Lisa talks through a TV screen programmed with voice recognition software. She's set to respond to more than 100 questions visitors may ask.

But if asked for details she's not prepared to reveal, the Mona Lisa will also answer "It's a secret" and wave visitors away - she's keeping the age-old secret behind the most famous smile in the world.

The exhibition, which took two years to set up, opened on March 7th and has an open run at the Alive Gallery.