The Bourbaki Panorama - the archetype of Virtual Reality

1 February 2021 marked the 150th anniversary of the internment of the Bourbaki Army. In the winter of 1871, Switzerland coped with the largest refugee intake in its history. Ten years later, the Bourbaki Panorama round picture tells the story of the - which is called the archetype of VR - the major event in an impressive way.

The circular painting "Bourbaki Panorama" - painted by Edouard Castres in 1881 - emphasises the cooperation between the state, the army, aid organisations and the civilian population and the solidarity that is naturally lived out in sudden encounters with strangers. What the pioneer, together with his team of painters - including the young Ferdinand Hodler - put on canvas in oil can today be described as one of the archetypes of virtual reality.

Medium Panorama

Panoramas - an art production of the 19th century - captivate through their immense size and their sophisticated illusion optics: the 360° panoramic view and the fading out of the image edge suggest the impression of infinity and thus create optimal conditions for immersive immersion in the image event: Visitors let their eyes wander as if they were outdoors. No limitation by a frame disturbs its illusion. The panorama creates an illusionary space using the traditional means of the visual arts to transport the viewer into a representation that is uniform in space and time. This pictorial form exists through all epochs of art history.

Convey memory

The Bourbaki Panorama is a unique place of remembrance. It illustrates hundreds of fates in the midst of the moving and crisis-ridden encounter of many people of the most diverse origins and cultures. In addition to historical events, the museum also deals with, experiences and reflects on current topics. It thus offers a platform for socially relevant topics such as flight and migration, humanity and solidarity, but also role models as well as immersion and virtual reality.

In one of our Contributions the panorama has already been put in connection with 360° films.

On the occasion of the Year of Remembrance 2021, the Museum Bourbaki Panorama from 11 May 2021 with the special exhibition "Across Borders" to a current examination of borders and border experiences in the most diverse contexts. It thus highlights the ambivalence of border crossings between challenge and enrichment. And at times shows that borders not only divide, but also connect.

Source: Press portal