Now Open! Installed at Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art in Washington, this permanent exhibit presents an important 1500-year old Chinese sculpture in universally-accessible form. A 3D printed fifth-scale replica of the original statue allows visitors to touch with their hands. Adjacent to the statue on a slanted counter are three stone slabs, each printed with a tactile graphic illustrating the detailed carvings that cover the statue’s surfaces. As you you touch figures of people, animals and other elements of the carvings, you hear the curator’s voice explaining everything.

Specifications

• High-resolution scan was produced by Smithsonian Digital Services (article).

• Statue cast in stone powder mixed with resin from a 3D printed mold.

• Tactile figures are printed with UV-cured ink applied direct-to-substrate on limestone slabs.

• Python program running on Raspberry Pi computer controls the exhibit.

• Touch sensors detect finger touches on the statue and illustrations.

• Visuals and captions appear on wall mounted video screen above the exhibit counter.

• Motion detector causes the exhibit to “wake up” when visitors come within ten feet.