On Thursday 7th September 2017, the VISTA AR project partners on both sides of the channel congregated at Exeter Cathedral to officially launch the project. Keynote speakers included Mona Bras, President of the Brittany Association of Art and History Towns, Emily Smith, from the BAFTA-winning Atlantic Productions and Tom Barker, Head of Digital at the National Trust.
The audience, which included visitors from heritage sites and organisations in both the UK and France, also watched an interview with Sir Tim Smit, in which he urged caution when developing technology that might become obsolete in a few years’ time. Representatives of the project spoke about their part in delivering digital solutions and, after lunch, delegates were able to sample the latest technologies, from viewing the Galapagos Islands through a VR headset with Atlantic Productions to walking in Fougères Castle, with EESAB.
Visitors also enjoyed the opportunity to spend time looking at the amazing architecture of Exeter cathedral and learning a bit about its history. The delegates who expressed interest in the project will be kept up to date with regular newsletters.
