Dataset of virtual and real-life visual experiences inside a museum: survey on visual perception with objective and subjective measures

Abstract

Occupants’ perception of a space depends on their experience [1–3]. Four kinds of visiting experiences were carried out inside the Natural History Museum of the University of Pisa [4]. The museum is housed, together with the National Museum of the Charterhouse [5], inside the Monumental Charterhouse of Calci, near Pisa. Four of the permanent exhibition halls of the Museum were selected for the survey: Historical Gallery, Mammal's Hall, Ungulates’ Gallery and Cetaceans’ Gallery. A total of 117 participants were divided into four groups depending on their visiting experience: real-life, or virtual based respectively on videos, photos or computer-generated photorealistic images (renders). Experiences are compared. The comparison comprehends objective data (measured illuminance levels) and subjective data (questionnaire outcomes on the perception of the space). The illuminance levels were measured using a photoradiometer: datalogger Delta Ohm HD2102.2 equipped with LP 471 PHOT probe. The probe was placed 1.20 m above floor level, and it was set to measure vertical illuminance at 10 seconds intervals. To evaluate participants’ perception of the space questionnaires were used. The presented data refer to the article: “Perception of light in museum environments: comparison between real-life and virtual visual experiences” [1]. This kind of data provides a base to assess if virtual kinds of experience can be implemented in museum environments as an alternative to the real-life experience, and to understand if such an implementation is detrimental or not in terms of participants’ perception of the space. Virtual experiences can be particularly useful for spreading culture, making it accessible even in presence of moving restrictions for people, such as those in force today due to the SARS-CoV-2 emergency.