How do I visit the museum?
You can experience the Uncertain Space in a number of different ways, depending on what kind of device you’re using. We currently offer three versions; one for Virtual Reality headsets, another as a downloadable PC game, and each exhibition can accessed directly as a play-in-browser game, without the need to download anything (see below). We regularly update the museum, as new exhibitions are added.
The Uncertain Space is our virtual University museum. It’s a way to experience items from many different collections in one place. The Uncertain Space is a virtual museum with a difference; it’s a museum first and virtual second. Just like a real-world museum, the Uncertain Space has governance, an evolving programme of exhibitions, and sustainability is built in. It’s not just another one-off, temporary digital project. Our plan is to create new exhibitions, integrate the museum into teaching and research, and work with new collaborators to push the boundaries of what a virtual museum might mean.
Exhibitions
We have ‘play-in-browser’ versions of each of our museum exhibitions. Due to technical limitations, we’re only able to publish individual exhibitions in this way. If you’d like to experience the entire museum, with all exhibitions, please download the PC or VR version.
Secret Gardens
Our first exhibition, co-developed with a group of young Bristolians. Our ‘Secret Gardeners’ helped select objects from across the University’s collections. Visit now.
The Blandford Collection
The collection includes 3D scans of Greek and Roman artefacts, terracotta figures, pottery and items from Britain, Greece and Egypt. Visit now.
The Martian House
A project by Ella Good & Nicki Kent, the Martian House was a collaboration between artists, scientists, architects, engineers and the public. Coming soon.
Wildfilm Located
The unique Wildfilm collection traces the history of wildlife film-making. We virtually return the collection back to a now lost, BBC Natural History Unit of 1968. Coming soon.
Why have a virtual museum?
Our virtual museum compliments our real world collections, it lets us widen our audience, provide engaging learning opportunities and to preserve at-risk cultural heritage. We can use the technology to allow users to interact with 3D scans of museum artefacts in ways that are not possible with physical objects. You can virtually examine even the most fragile of items. The museum also lets us show objects in context, to help deepen understanding and engagement.
Importantly, the virtual museum also gives you world-wide access to our collections, without you having to travel to see them.
Built to last
The Uncertain Space was built to last. It’s one of the things that make the museum different to other digital projects. How did we do this?
- The development & maintenance is done by staff in the Library, we’re in control
- We use ‘open’ technologies whenever we can, these tend to last longer than commercial ones
- We don’t get tied to specific software, for example, we have used 3 different games engines!
- All the models, video, audio, texts and other reusable asset are stored safely, ready for reuse
Don’t have a virtual reality headset?
If you don’t have access to a VR headset and are based near Bristol, VR headsets are available for anyone to use by visiting the Theatre Collection or the University of Bristol Special Collections. Reading room staff will be on hand to help you. You’ll need to book in advance. Alternatively, University staff and students can book out a Quest 2 VR headset from us, see the Equipment Loans page.
