Digitization of myth: The HimmapanVR Project's role in cultural preservation

Abstract

This study investigates the visitor experience at the '3D HimmapanVR' virtual museum, which focuses on the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage related to Thai mythical entities, specifically the Himmapan animals. Despite their cultural significance, information about these creatures is limited and fragmented. The HimmapanVR initiative aims to mitigate this issue by establishing a virtual museum that curates and exhibits these entities via a virtual reality (VR) platform, thus enhancing their accessibility, educational value, and conservation. The project entails the digitization of artwork, the creation of 3D models of archaeological artifacts, and the utilization of digital paintings and animations to depict the three primary and fifteen subsidiary types of Himmapan creatures. The hypothesis posits that the virtual museum will influence users' Effort Expectancy (EE), Performance Expectancy (PE), and the perceived authenticity of the archaeological objects. Data collected from 30 participants indicate that the virtual museum effectively augments knowledge and engenders a sense of authenticity. However, enhancing the VR user experience remains a challenge. Conclusively, this study presents the inaugural virtual museum dedicated to Himmapan animals, which occupy an essential niche in Thai cultural heritage. To date, no existing physical or virtual museum offers an exhaustive compilation and presentation of various Himmapan creatures, a gap this project endeavors to fill.