The world is facing a crisis without size with the pandemic of the new coronavirus. To fight the virus and flatten the contagion curve, a series of procedures are necessary, such as social detachment, quarantine and, in some cases, a lockdown is also necessary.

In the midst of strategies to deal with the problem, what has occupied the minds of those who need to stay at home is art and entertainment. More than ever, the planet is understanding the importance that culture and art has in everyone's life. Music, film, series, documentary, electronic games, literature and so on.

And museums? Generally, knowing a museum's collection requires a face-to-face visit. But with the new scenario, it was necessary to reinvent the practice and provide a new experience of visiting a museum through technology. It is thanks to her that all this is possible and museums are not left behind in the middle of it all.

It is important to remember that, although it is a movement that has gained strength with the current crisis, it is not something that new. There were already Portuguese museums that provided virtual visits for example, even before any global crisis. This is because the practice democratized access to art, without the need to travel to meet in person. This makes it possible to increase the number of visitors coming from different parts of the world.

This new dynamic is important because it keeps the practice of visiting museums alive and, if due to the crisis you cannot go to the museum, it and its collection go to you.

The use of digital technologies in the art market

Technology with its tools has brought art to many people as we have already said in the text The museum market and digital tools and in the text New technologies in the art market. It is through it that many get to know places, works of art, historical artifacts, cinema and other attractions that art provides. But those who think that only digital technologies are involved with art are mistaken.

The portrait of landscapes and people, previously restricted only to paintings, gives space for photographs. These photographs placed in groups of 24 screens per second gave rise to cinema and woodcutting developed and allowed the creation of arts engraved in wood.

Technology is not only present in the act of making art, but also in the creation of new forms of art. As an example, it is worth remembering the Scottish Norman Mclaren who, by hand painting, the film rolls aligned to the sound, became one of the precursors of cinematographic animations that today make the joy not only of children but of adults.

What we need to understand here is that the use of technologies in the art market, in a way, has always existed. Digital technologies have only further leveraged the art market as a whole. Human beings have always used technology to survive and adapt to the environment. Thus, when making the art present in our lives, we are also soon relying on technology in our daily lives.

Virtual experiences: a new way to experience art

Technology has reached a level that makes a virtual visit as close as possible to a face-to-face visit. With the most diverse technological devices it is possible to know and contemplate not only works of art, but also the structure of museums.

Artificial intelligence is also creating a unique possibility. IBM's Watson brought the works of art to life, where it was possible to interact with them at the Pinacoteca, which is in the state of São Paulo, in Brazil. See more about this case here.

Although many strategies are designed for the period of the pandemic, as shown by the interview conducted by Timelinefy on the subject, it is important to know that many of them are here to stay once and for all, as can be seen in this material that gathers some digital strategies that museums have joined in period. In the two links presented here there are materials with a wealth of information for you to check and stay on top of the subject.

You don't have to worry about these new virtual visits, as these mechanics that involve digital technologies for visiting museums will not replace the face-to-face experience in the future. This is not the case, but the fact is that this will only be a new approach, one more opportunity for museums and not a new and unique way to be used.

Discover Portuguese museums without leaving your home

You didn't think we were going to talk about all this digitalization of visits to museums promoted by technology without even giving some good indications of places to visit, right?

Now, here are four tips from Portuguese museums for you to enjoy your time at home in a unique way, as if you were visiting each one. Come on?

Museum 1: Museu Calouste Gulbenkian

Our first museum tip, among Portuguese museums, is the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum. In it, through a 360º virtual tour, you can get to know the galleries of the Founder's Collection and the Modern Collection, which includes objects from Ancient Egypt to the works of Amadeo de Souza-Cardoso.

In addition, its collection includes other attractions such as objects from the Islamic East as well as works of art by Rembrandt, Turner, Monet, Rodin, René Lalique among other works besides these highlights.

Another collection in addition to the Founder's Collection, is the Modern Collection that brings in addition to Amadeo de souza-Cardoso, Almada Negreiros, Paula Rego, Vieira da Silva and many others that brings together one of the best collections of modern and contemporary Portuguese art. It is worth checking it out!

Museum 2: Parks of Sintra - Montes da Lua

Our second tip from the Portuguese museum team is the Sintra-Montes da Lua Parks. Founded in 2000, PSML manages the Park and National Palace of Pena, the National Palaces of Sintra and Queluz, the Chalé da Condessa d'Edla, the Castelo dos Mouros, the Monserrate Palace and Gardens, the Capuchos Convent and the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art.

PSML receives an average of more than 2 million visitors, most of whom are foreigners. But for times like these, PSML gathers on its website a multimedia section with photos and videos of its entire structure. The online visit promises to impress, get to know.

Museum 3: Batalha de Aljubarrota Foundation

Another one of the Portuguese museums that is worth checking up close, even from a distance, is the Batalha de Aljubarrota Foundation which was established on March 15, 2002 by Mr. António de Sommer Champalimaud and dates back to the main battlefields in Portugal.

Hence the name of the foundation in memory of one of the great pitched battles of the Middle Ages, the Battle of Aljubarrota, which played a decisive role in the history of Portugal. Bringing innovation in military tactics and diplomacy, it allowed an alliance with England that remains today.

Also known as the Interpretation Center of the Battle of Aljubarrota, CIBA, is a space that conserves and disseminates the history of great battles. But how does CIBA do this virtually? Through a timeline produced by Timelinefy.

Museum 4: Money Museum

Our last (but not least) attraction on the list of Portuguese museums to explore art from within your home is the Banco de Portugal Money Museum. With museography by the Providência Design studio, the Money Museum goes back to the history of money in the world and its history over the centuries.

Offering a remarkable experience through a 360º virtual tour that promotes the creation of surprising environments for those who want to visit and learn more about the history of money in a detailed and accurate way. Visit by clicking here.

Conclusion

Now just prepare a coffee and travel through the arts of Portuguese museums without leaving your home. With these tips you already know how you can take advantage of quarantine times in the best possible way.

We hope that each of these visits can instigate you to personally know each of these Portuguese museums.