Experiencing Baseer in VR

Bengal Foundation launched their very first virtual tour of an ongoing exhibition titled 'Baseer: An Eloquent Mind' for the online audience. The online platform for the full-fledged gallery tour has been designed by Artcon, a specialised agency that covers all modes of services in the art field.

'Baseer: An Eloquent Mind' is now underway at Bengal Shilpalay in Dhanmondi. It will remain open to all till January 16, 2021, from 3pm to 8pm. The venue is closed on Sundays.

Although the coronavirus crisis brought many obstacles for artists in the country, they are slowly adapting to virtual avenues. A R K Ripon, Founder of Artcon, stressed on the possibilities opened up by new techniques that can enrich the art market. The cutting-edge technology for the virtual tour offers features such as  360-degree view, hot spots that allow viewers to move close to or far from the artworks, stereoscopic view on VR headset and the dollhouse effect.

"Virtual tours not only project what is in the exhibition but also connect us to other networks through hyperlinks. The QR codes provide audio and text content in multiple languages and the viewership is unlimited," he explained, "A special feature lets viewers experience this exhibition both in day and night modes. The mood of the exhibition is captured with it."

Murtaja Baseer (1932-2020) worked in many mediums, such as drawing, printmaking, watercolour, oil paint, mixed media and mural. His greatest mastery was in oil paintings. Covering a period from the fifties to the present, the exhibition includes the artist's photographs, letters, sketches, collages, posters, paper cuttings and key paintings from several private collections, many of which are being exhibited for the first time.

Director General of Bengal Foundation, Luva Nahid Choudhury, expressed her enthusiasm for the virtual tour.

"An immense amount of research and energy was invested in the creation of the exhibition. Showcasing the works of one of the most influential modern artists of Bangladesh is even harder. The virtual tour allows us not only to archive the exhibition as a whole, but also to travel beyond borders," she said.

With increased restrictions on public gatherings, the use of augmented reality has emerged as a solution to the immediate crisis. It can create opportunities for collection and purchase of artworks from different parts of the world. However, it also comes with certain requirements such as a high speed internet connection, suitable gadgets and an understanding of the virtual platform for users to enjoy the experience fully.