Author(s): Leah Hamblin
Mentor(s): Kathleen Broeder
Institution SUU
Nung’wu (Southern Paiute) baskets are a key element to understand cultural heritage in Cedar City, Utah. Special Collections at Southern Utah University holds a large collection of baskets that are underutilized due to limited display space and the need to conserve fragile artifacts. Creating a virtual reality museum displaying much of this collection allows larger audiences to engage with primary sources, learn about Nung’wu culture, and increase their access to an otherwise hidden collection. The interdisciplinary nature of a virtual reality museum has the potential to bring in audiences for many reasons, further increasing the reach of this museum. In researching, planning, and developing content for this exhibit, anthropological perspectives and cultural humility became imperative in this interdisciplinary project. In creating this museum, the first step was research using archive best practices. Finding the least biased sources and gaining an understanding of Nung’wu history and culture at a base level allowed for more informed decision-making. This was done through extensive research using archives resources and through consulting the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah at every step of the way. Working closely with the tribe ensured that we demonstrate reciprocity with cultural items. In addition, it helps limit author biases and focuses the narrative on the tribe. Conducting initial research ensures that the bulk of the responsibility in crafting this narrative is not being shifted back to the tribe. Labels are critical in interpreting cultural heritage. Labels were designed to be expandable to reach wider audiences with the most critical details. Choosing which baskets to represent in the museum and when to display them is intentional, in order to humanize the objects through creating broader narratives around them. In addition, an effort was made to further center Nung’wu voices by including Southern Paiute words and translations where possible. To further increase learning and engagement, photogrammetry and 3D scanning were used to allow visitors to interact with objects in ways that a physical museum would not permit. Visitors can hold and manipulate objects within the VR space, encouraging more connection with objects. In addition, the ability to sort or compare objects within the museum can further deepen cultural learning. The virtual reality basketry exhibit will be packaged into an app that can be accessed by a wider audience, creating reciprocity and greater cross-cultural awareness.