Toppan and Smithsonian Museum Collaborate on Peacock Room Virtual Reality Project

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art and TOPPAN Corp have teamed up to digitize works in the museum’s collection and expand global access to digital content. This partnership, signed on July 1, aims to create digital replicas of artworks, foster cultural exchange between Japan and the United States, and develop new ways to share Japanese art with the world.

Their first project focuses on the Peacock Room, a renowned space at the museum that combines Japanese artistic style with Western design. By creating a high-definition digital version of this room, the partners hope to offer viewers a unique and immersive experience that transcends physical boundaries. This initiative is set to launch in early 2027, with plans to showcase the content through virtual reality using head-mounted displays both at the National Museum of Asian Art and at exhibitions in Japan and abroad.

Despite having an extensive collection of Japanese art, the museum faces restrictions on displaying certain artworks outside its premises due to donor-imposed limitations. TOPPAN, with its expertise in VR technologies for cultural assets, is well-equipped to bring these artworks to life in digital form.

The National Museum of Asian Art, part of the prestigious Smithsonian Institution, has a rich history dating back to 1923 and prides itself on being the first national art museum in the United States dedicated to Asian art. This collaboration with TOPPAN marks a significant step towards leveraging digital innovation to make art more accessible and engaging for audiences worldwide.