Hybrid Realities: Visiting the Virtual Museum 
Jesse Allison, Ball State University, USA
John Fillwalk, Ball State University, USA
http://www.digitalintermedia.org
Virtual worlds provide a platform in which to construct compelling experiences not possible within the material and temporal constraints of the physical world. The virtual realm has the potential to be united and engaged by physicality – informing and transforming the audience’s experience of exhibition in a profoundly transformative nature. The Institute for Digital Intermedia Arts at Ball State University has been incorporating mixed-reality approaches into museum exhibitions, musical performances, installation art, and interface over the last several years. This paper documents specific explorations of the opportunities of the Second Life environment for mixed-reality experiences – analyzing approaches to bridging the worlds; such as, media streaming, client-side interaction, an external Web server communication hub, as well as opportunities for human/computer interaction.
Demonstration: Demonstrations 1 [Close Up]
Keywords: Interactive exhibition, Second Life, Virtual Worlds, mixed reality.
