The Metropolitan Museum of Art – Bringing Oceania to Life
Challenge – When The Met reopened its Oceanic Art collection, it wanted to honour the living Pacific landscapes that shaped the works and provide communities across Oceania with remote access. The team needed more than a digital replica; they sought an immersive environment that aligned with the museum’s mission of global access and cultural respect.
Solution – Working closely with the curators, Atopia designed a virtual environment that evoked the landscapes, rhythms and spatial logics of Oceania:
Custom‑created flora and layouts inspired by the objects’ original locations.
Fifteen highlighted objects brought to life through layered storytelling: immersive audio, Pacific voices, archival photography, 360° video and high‑resolution 3‑D models.
A wandering design that invites discovery, reflecting Pacific spatial logic.
A reusable template that allows the department to curate future rotations in‑house, without coding.
Results – The project delivered three strategic breakthroughs:
Global access – Pacific communities can experience their heritage from afar, aligning with The Met’s inclusion goals.
New storytelling modes – Objects are framed within soundscapes and interactive games, deepening engagement beyond static labels.
Sustainable digital capacity – By using Atopia’s No-Code Editor, curators can independently produce future rotations, extending the initiative’s life.
Authentic voices, such as artist Michael Mel and Māori leader Che Wilson, provide introductions and ceremonies, ensuring that Pacific perspectives anchor the experience. The project demonstrates how Atopia can help museums to deliver bespoke, culturally grounded storytelling for world‑leading institutions.
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