Past meets pixels in new heritage gallery

The Islamabad Museum witnessed a first of its kind cultural experiment last week: a digital immersive exhibition that captivated visitors with a unique blend of history and technology, bringing to life the rich cultural heritage of Gandhara in a way never experienced before.

The exhibition introduced audiences to a technology-driven way of experiencing heritage, transporting them into the past through cutting-edge 3D projections and "with just a wave of the hand, visitors can interact with lifelike digital renderings of the Buddha and Bodhisattvas".

The sweeping journey stretches from the 3rd millennium BCE to the 17th century CE. This seamless integration of digital artistry and historical content creates a powerful educational and cultural experience, bridging ancient civilisations with modern-day audiences.

Unlike a conventional museum, where artefacts are displayed in cases or mounted on walls, a digital immersive gallery transforms the entire space into the exhibit itself. Using high-resolution projections and synchronised audio, visitors are not confined to looking at a single object but are enveloped in shifting images and sequences that tell a story.

This global technology has become popular for showcasing art movements and cultural histories, from European painters to space exploration. Its arrival in Islamabad, however, signals a new direction: applying the medium to Pakistan's own heritage.

Established by the Korea Heritage Agency (KHA) under a five-year Official Development Assistance (ODA) Project of the Korea Heritage Service (KHS), the gallery is a state-of-the-art facility that merges immersive storytelling with advanced digital tools.

"Its centrepiece is a narrative that retraces the historical spread of Buddhism from Gandhara to the Korean Peninsula that recalls the spiritual journeys of Korean monks who travelled to the region centuries ago to study the Dharma," an official said.

The Digital Immersive Gallery is part of a broader project that has transformed Pakistan's capacity for heritage conservation and research. Over the past few years, a Conservation and Analysis Laboratory – the country's first advanced facility — has been established and fully equipped with modern instruments.

Alongside this, more than 125 conservators, curators, and students have received training in conservation sciences through specialised workshops and internships, ensuring the transfer of vital skills to the next generation of professionals.

The project has also led to the creation of an Archaeological Research Centre equipped with drones, scanners, GNSS systems, and 3D modelling software, enabling the detailed documentation of 185 archaeological sites spread across Taxila, Central Gandhara, Swat Valley, and Islamabad.

Another milestone has been a pilot excavation at the historic Mankiala Stupa, where students and young archaeologists received hands-on training in modern excavation methods, combining field practice with new technologies.

Looking to the future, the South Korean government has approved the second phase of this cultural collaboration, which will run from 2026 to 2030. A landmark element of the next phase will be the establishment of the Pakistan Institute of Cultural Heritage Training and Research at Shakarparian.

The gallery was formally launched at the Islamabad Museum on September 18, 2025. The ceremony was attended by senior government officials, members of parliament, representatives of the Korean government, diplomats, and cultural experts,.

Since then, the exhibition continues to be discussed in cultural circles for the novelty of its format. While Pakistan's museums and archaeological sites remain the guardians of physical artefacts, the immersive gallery represents a fresh step: one that complements preservation with reinterpretation, and academic study with public experience. (WITH INPUT FROM APP)