How to use the exhibits

Getting in

Open Exhibits, pick one, and choose Enter the exhibit. It will take a moment to load the first time — each exhibit is a full 3D space, so there is a real download involved. After that first visit your browser keeps most of it, and returning is much quicker.

Moving around

On a computer

W A S D or the arrow keys

Walk forward, back, and side to side.

Hold the left mouse button and drag

Look around. Let go and your cursor comes back, so you can click things.

Shift

Move faster while held — useful for crossing a large room.

On a phone or tablet

On-screen controls appear automatically. The pad at the bottom-left moves you; the buttons at the bottom-right turn you and tilt your view. You can also drag anywhere on the screen to look around, and tap any artwork to open it.

In a VR headset

Open the exhibit in your headset's browser (for example the Meta Quest browser). An Enter VR button appears when your device supports it. Once inside, the left thumbstick walks and the right thumbstick turns you in steps — turning in fixed steps rather than smoothly is deliberate, as it is much gentler on motion comfort.

Looking at the artwork

Most photographs, documents, and panels can be opened full-screen so you can actually read them.

Magnifying-glass cursor

Your cursor changes shape when something can be enlarged. Click it (or tap, on a phone) to open a large, readable version.

Pointing-hand cursor

This marks a link out to the Institute's website. Clicking it opens that page in a new tab, so you don't lose your place in the exhibit.

While an image is open

Scroll or pinch to zoom in, drag to move around the image, and press Esc, the ✕, or click the dark background to close it.

Doors open on their own as you walk up to them, and close behind you. There is nothing to click.

The Fullscreen button underneath the exhibit gives you the whole screen, which is the best way to view on a laptop.

Your avatar

Everyone visiting an exhibit appears as a simple figure with their name floating above it, so you can see who else is in the room and where they are looking.

You cannot see your own avatar — and that is intended

You look out through your own eyes, so your figure is hidden from you and never blocks your view. Everyone else sees you normally. If you want to check how you look, ask someone else in the room, or open the exhibit in a second browser window.

As a guest

You are given a colour at random when you arrive, and it stays the same for the rest of your visit so people can recognise you.

With an account

Go to Avatar to choose your body colour, accent colour, and head shape. Your choice is saved to your profile and follows you into every exhibit.

Talking with other visitors

Exhibits have live voice chat, so you can walk through together with family, a class, or a group of friends and simply talk.

Everyone starts muted

Nobody can hear you until you choose to unmute — your microphone isn't even switched on before then.

To speak

Use the microphone button in the corner of the exhibit, or press M on a keyboard. The first time, your browser will ask permission to use your microphone — choose Allow. Press it again at any time to mute.

Who can hear you

Everyone currently inside the same exhibit. Each exhibit is its own separate room.

If something isn't working

The exhibit is slow to load

The first visit downloads the whole 3D space and can take a minute on a slower connection. Later visits are much faster. A wired or Wi-Fi connection is better than mobile data.

Nobody can hear me

Check that you have unmuted, then check that your browser has permission to use your microphone — look for the microphone icon in your address bar.

There is no sound at all

Browsers block audio until you interact with the page. Click once inside the exhibit and sound will start.

Looking around feels stuck

Make sure you are holding the mouse button down while you drag. Click once inside the exhibit first, so it knows your keyboard and mouse are meant for it rather than the page around it.

Best results

A recent version of Chrome, Edge, Firefox, or Safari. On phones, close other apps first — 3D spaces are demanding, and older devices can run short of memory.