Embracing the age of metaverse : the utilisation and prospect of extended reality (XR) technologies as an interpretation tool of cultural heritage

Abstract

Interpretation of cultural heritage sites is a means of communication that helps visitor understand the character of the place, explaining its meanings, providing experiences, provoking emotions and inspiring visitors to gain knowledge about the heritage on their own. It has become an essential component of conservation and protection of cultural heritage sites and their values. This thesis evaluated the overall quality of current heritage interpretation in the context of Hong Kong by collecting opinions from the visitors of heritage sites and studying the main theoretical frameworks about heritage interpretation using Tilden’s six principles of interpretation (1957), Ham’s TORE quality (1992) and ICOMOS Ename Charter (2008) which are served as a guide for appropriate interpretation approaches. It is discovered that the conventional practice of heritage interpretation in Hong Kong, that is lengthy text and static interpretation boards with few interactive or immersive elements, is mediocre and needs improvement to fulfill visitors’ expectation. In view of the problems identified from the interview findings, the author put forward the idea of applying XR technologies which are participatory and immersive in nature to enhance value of interpretation of cultural heritage sites. XR technologies could be an effective innovation to supplement visitor experience of heritage sites since they comply with the principles of interpretation advocated by the interpretational scholars. Such technologies provoke visitors’ feelings and introspections, increase attractiveness, increasing relevance to the site, add interest to interpretation, enrich information interpreted to the visitors, provide more personalized experience and respect authenticity of the site. The author then gave several recommendations on how to utilise XR technologies with more cost- effective approaches that could increase the feasibility to be incorporated and popularized in heritage interpretation in Hong Kong in the future.