📺 Stream EntrepreneurTV for Free 📺

Virtual Reality Museum Is A Gallery For Stolen Masterpieces Using virtual reality technology, Oculus Rift is replicating a museum experience.

By Pamella de Leon

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

You're reading Entrepreneur Middle East, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media.

Somewhere in the world today stolen masterpieces are making the rounds, perhaps never to be found. A student of New York University's Interactive Telecommunications Program (ITP) program has a solution, and no, it isn't about tracking down the missing artwork. The Museum of Stolen Art is a virtual reality museum for works of art "that cannot be viewed physically anywhere in the world," according to the explainer video.

Designed to replicate a museum experience, works "reported as missing in the FBI and Interpol art crime databases" are suspended on white walls and come complete with an audio guide, to give users contextual and realistic experience. Three exhibitions are planned: one for renowned stolen works which includes pieces from the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum theft in 1990, and two focusing on looted art from Iraq and Afghanistan. It's said that after the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, an astounding 14,000 works were robbed from the Iraq Museum. The Museum of Stolen Art's collections aim to reflect that art, history and culture can be a casualty in conflict zones, too. The project is an Oculus Rift experience, and describes itself as "an exploration of VR technologies both for different purposes like education, archiving and advocacy." While people are still taking an interest in virtual reality technology, last year's craze and quick end over Google Glass is a sign that there's more work to be done before mass adoption.

Pamella de Leon

Startup Section Editor, Entrepreneur Middle East

Pamella de Leon is the Startup Section Editor at Entrepreneur Middle East. She is keen on the MENA region’s entrepreneurship potential, with a specific interest to support enterprises and individuals creating an impact.

Side Hustle

These Coworkers-Turned-Friends Started a Side Hustle on Amazon — Now It's a 'Full Hustle' Earning Over $20 Million a Year: 'Jump in With Both Feet'

Achal Patel and Russell Gong met at a large consulting firm and "bonded over a shared vision to create a mission-led company."

Women Entrepreneur®

Big Goals, Bold Choices: Nyla Khan, Founder, Casa Da Louisa Group

"My motivation to work in early childhood education is driven by the belief that every child deserves a chance to thrive, regardless of their circumstances."

Collaboration

5 Ways Solopreneurs Can Scale Their Business Through Collaboration

Our culture loves to perpetuate the myth that entrepreneurs must go it alone. But for many, the path to success is found in collaboration.

News and Trends

PepsiCo, SABIC, AstroLabs, and Partners Come Together To Launch The Mega Green Accelerator With Eight Startups From The MENA Region

At the end of the program later this year, one winning company will be awarded US$30,000 in funds to continue its expansion.

Starting a Business

From The UK To The GCC: The Journey Of Aramas International Lawyers Founder Samara Iqbal

"Once the business is set up, it is then marketing the brand, and then networking, to make sure you are getting the work. Also, working with local agencies, officials, other lawyers and the government- it is all challenging, but truly rewarding!"

News and Trends

UAE-Based Param Labs Secures US$7 Million In A Funding Round Led By Animoca Brands, With Support From Delphi Ventures, Mechanism Capital, And Others

Strategic investments were made by Animoca Brands co-founder Yat Siu and FaZe Clan co-founder Richard "FaZe Banks" Bengtson as well.