Cuseum Launches 'Museum From Home' Augmented Reality (AR) Experience and Reveals Groundbreaking Findings From Neurological Study

BOSTON, May 6, 2020 (Newswire.com) - ​​​​​Cuseum announced today the release of a new Augmented Reality (AR) experience that virtually transports famous artworks from museums into people's homes and also published groundbreaking research on the neuroscience of how the brain perceives art through AR, VR, and other digital forms, as compared to the original artwork.

Through the power of Augmented Reality, the new “Museum From Home” feature will allow users of Cuseum-powered apps to experience the artworks from the comfort of their homes. Users will be able to virtually place paintings and other objects onto their walls and revel in artworks that are typically only available to view inside a museum setting.

"In light of the COVID-19 pandemic and the widespread closures of museums across the world, the necessity of creating an alternative, remote way to experience art and culture has never been greater,” said Brendan Ciecko, CEO & Founder of Cuseum. “In these unprecedented times, we’re helping people across the globe feel connected with works that bring them joy and inspiration. Just imagine experiencing your favorite artwork from the comfort of your own living room – we’re excited to make this a reality."

Accompanying the release of this new AR offering, Cuseum has published the results of a 10-month long research study on the neurological perceptions of original artworks as compared to their Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and digital versions. This groundbreaking research supports the claim that AR and VR can provide an equally immersive and neurologically stimulating experience on par with that of viewing the authentic, original artwork in-person at a museum or gallery.

This study was conducted by a team of neuroscientists and advised by Dr. Pawan Sinha, a world-renowned neuroscientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The researchers examined the emotive responses to original artworks versus their digital equivalents. According to the research team, the "current EEG findings would suggest that aesthetic experience is not denigrated by a digital interface representation and, in fact, digital reproductions in the case of augmented reality are shown to improve the magnitude of brain activity, compared to the viewing of original works of art."

"Critics have long debated the role and impact of technology in the display, consumption, and creation of art. Until now, there has never been an empirical study that looks beyond opinion and taps into neurological activity to understand the human brain’s response to art experienced in real-life compared to virtually," added Ciecko. "Today marks a new milestone in our understanding of how people perceive and react to art through digital channels and offers immutable support for continuing to make art accessible in all formats. This research underscores that the ‘aura’ of art is not lost when experienced virtually." An overview of the study and full report is available online at www.cuseum.com/neuroscience.

For more information about the new Augmented Reality experience and details about how to participate, please visit www.cuseum.com/ar-museum-from-home.

About Cuseum
​Cuseum helps organizations drive visitor, member, and patron engagement using digital tools. Cuseum's software platform makes it easy for museums, attractions, and nonprofits to publish mobile apps, generate digital membership cards, and leverage data insights. Headquartered in Boston, the company is backed by leading investors, including Techstars.

Source: Cuseum