“Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs” opened November 20th at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The world premiere of this traveling exhibition explores the legacy of Ramses the Great, who epitomizes power and wealth at the height of ancient Egypt, and features nearly 200 artifacts from 3,200 years ago.
World Heritage Exhibitions hired Cortina Productions to help bring the story of King Ramses to life through five immersive media exhibits, including two multi-dimensional presentations.
The Intro Theater film welcomes visitors into the world of Ramses II as he takes the throne in 1279 B.C. Sweeping visuals and animations introduce visitors to his 67-year reign as a warrior, a peacemaker, and a builder. Visitors learn that his tomb was plundered and his mummy was thought to be lost forever, until a chance discovery by a goat herder in the 19th century.
The Battle of Kadesh is considered the most famous battle of the ancient world; a battle that Ramses himself fought in hand-to-hand combat. Cortina Productions designed and produced a multi-dimensional media experience utilizing transparent screens, a map projection and 3D models to bring this epic battle to life.
In the Ramses Rediscovered gallery, visitors witness a virtual reburial of Ramses the Great with all the riches and treasures that would have been sealed within his royal tomb. Using projections on both a scrim and a model of a sarcophagus, visitors experience the ceremony that ensures his safe passage to the Afterlife.
Finally, in the Epilogue gallery, a limestone colossus of Ramses the Great is accompanied by a short film showcasing how Ramses the Great continues to capture the spotlight around the world.
The exhibition will be on display at the Houston Museum of Natural Science for a limited time before traveling across the globe on a world-wide tour. For more information, please visit https://www.hmns.org/exhibits/special-exhibitions/ramses-the-great-and-the-gold-of-the-pharaohs/.
“Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs” is featured in Smithsonian Magazine.
