A digital interactive exhibition based on Mahatma Gandhi’s life has opened in Melbourne, complete with interactive “touch walls” to extend his message of non-violence to the younger audience.
The exhibition, titled “Mahatma Gandhi: An Immigrant,” opened at Victoria’s Immigration Museum on April 5. It showcases century-old artifacts and makes use of digital technology to attract audience of all ages, SBS News reported.
Also featured are more than 1,000 photographs, some exclusive archival footage that has been seen rarely, and inspiring voice recordings of speeches and other items that have been borrowed from the Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museum in Hyderabad.
“This exhibition aims to ignite the spirit of Gandhi across Melbourne’s rich and vibrant communities. We couldn’t be more honored to welcome you to experience it here at the Immigration Museum, a safe and welcoming space for all communities,” Rohini Kappadath, general manager, Immigration Museum, said, according to PTI.
Noted peace activist Ela Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, may also visit Melbourne to see the exhibition, Kappadath added.
The digital interactive exhibition honors the period of Gandhi’s stay in South Africa and his subsequent personal transformation from this experience, according to the Immigration Museum. “His migrant history led to profound learnings that influenced him and India more broadly,” a statement from the museum said.
The exhibition will also include an array of traditional Indian clay figures dating back to the 1860s and 1880s that had been displayed at the Indian court during the 1880 Melbourne International Exhibition at the Royal Exhibition Building, these also bring to light the ties between India and Australia.
“This is the story of a man who practiced peace, truth and non-violence, in a digital format and the idea is to give an experience of Gandhi,” Birad Rajaram Yajnik, curator, Mahatma Gandhi Digital Museum, said.
The exhibition that has traveled to countries like the United Kingdom, United States and India, is now being exhibited in Australia. The highlights of the exhibition are a selfie booth where visitors can click pictures with Gandhi’s wallpaper, along with a replica of printing machine, bioscope, as well as interactive walls to help visitors learn more about Gandhi’s life.
The exhibition will be held until July 15, 2018.