The Virtual Museum Karlsruher Türkenbeute

The website was developed in a co-operation between the Badische Landesmuseum (BLM) and the Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie (ZKM) in Karlsruhe, Germany. FOX Medialab was entrusted with the realisation. The Landesstiftung Baden-Würtemburg financed the project. The subject of this extraordinary Internet production is the significant exposition „Karlsruher Türkenbeute‰ (Turkish booty of Karlsruhe), located at the Karlsruhe Palace.

150 exhibits of the collection were visualised using various often extremely complex imaging technologies, in order to make them interactively accessible. Up to 144 high resolution images were used for some exhibits. Other objects are zoom able up to a factor of 2000%. Digitalisation was achieved using novel software solutions. The results are animated manipulative objects, which the user can move, turn, and view from all sides.

The websites attraction is enhanced by the extraordinary combination of word and image, making it unique among virtual museum collections. Along with the photographical 3D representation of exhibits the depth of information given enables a fascinating insight of the Ottoman culture. This was made possible not only through technical means, but by giving special consideration to the cross-linking of information and didactic preparation of content.

Another goal of the project is to reach varying interest groups. Content is offered both visually and verbally; Information and wording are grouped in levels according to theme, kind, and quality in order to address both younger and older generations as well as the professional community.

Communication capabilities were a main priority: chat, forums, news-site and XML interfaces enhance the exchange of ideas and information.

Visitors can experience an immediate co-existence of real and virtual space by means of PDAs. With these one can step up to a showcase in the exhibition and download additional views and information of an exhibit.

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