A unique exhibition at the Perak Museum in Taiping allows visitors to step into the pages of history with futuristic virtual reality gear. The exhibition offers an immersive experience of participating in a virtual walk through a wooden house during the Japanese occupation of Malaya. Visitors can feel as if they are stepping into a bygone era in a special room.
The project leader, Dr. Cheryl Nicholas, explained that visitors can “see” and experience the living room, kitchen, and backyard of a home in Malaya in the 1940s during World War II (WWII). The house design is a blend of diverse cultural and social categories. Additionally, the exhibition features snippets of stories from 20 WWII survivors. Some of the furniture and objects displayed belonged to these survivors.
In the exhibition, visitors can move around the rooms and click on highlighted items, which will open short video montages of WWII stories from the survivors. Dr. Nicholas, who is an associate professor at Pennsylvania State University, emphasized that these survivors’ stories provide a historical context of everyday life during that time.
These stories are not typically found in history books, as they mainly remain within families. Dr. Nicholas acknowledged the potency of such storytelling, not only as family stories or historical data but also as cultural stories that help preserve memories and shape people’s identities. In addition to the virtual walk, visitors have the option to watch a pre-recorded tour of the houses.
Dr. Nicholas highlighted that while conducting oral history interviews with over 20 people in 2013, she realized the importance of preserving these stories. Sadly, as time passes, so do the storytellers, and currently, only four of the WWII survivors are still alive. The inspiration for the exhibition came from Dr. Nicholas’s father and grandfather, who shared with her their experiences during the Japanese Occupation.
The tales of soldiers, sirens, bombs, and beheadings initially frightened Dr. Nicholas but also fascinated her, as they revealed different layers and dimensions of her family’s lives shaped by war and devastation. Through their stories, Dr. Nicholas found a connection not only to her family but also to others who shared similar experiences with older family members.
The exhibition, part of the museum’s “Semarak@Muzium Perak” programme, will run until September 30.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
