Touching the Untouchable: Playing the Virtual Glass Harmonica
Design and develop an interactive virtual glass harmonica instrument targeted Meta Quest 2 for the The Danish National Museum.
CLIENT:
The Danish National Museum
ROLE:
Designer, development
TECHNOLOGIES USED:
Blender, Unity
Problem
At The Danish Music Museum, the glass harmonica—a rare, historical instrument—was displayed but non-operational due to preservation restrictions. This created a challenge for visitors, as the interactive nature of the instrument could not be fully appreciated through mere observation. The museum needed a solution to offer an engaging, educational experience that allowed visitors to interact with the instrument without risking its preservation.
Research
The project explored how virtual reality (VR) technology could be used to enhance the visitor experience by enabling interaction with the glass harmonica. Drawing from principles of VR musical instruments (VRMIs), the team aimed to faithfully replicate the instrument's acoustics and interaction. Through co-design workshops with museum staff and incorporating feedback from informal user testing, the research focused on creating an immersive experience that combined historical context with accurate, interactive musical play.
Solution
The project developed a VR installation using Meta Quest 2, enabling visitors to virtually play the glass harmonica. The virtual environment replicated the study of Benjamin Franklin, the instrument’s inventor, and provided an immersive auditory and visual experience. Visitors could use hand-tracking to simulate playing the instrument, receiving visual and auditory feedback. The installation also included a narrative, with Franklin’s portrait guiding users through the instrument's history and interaction, creating a compelling blend of education and entertainment. The installation successfully connected the virtual and physical experiences, making the instrument's history more accessible and engaging for museum visitors.