Digital Content Production Support Project Report
Video Production Support for “Voices from Manuscripts ” at the National Museum of Western Art
Written by Koike Hideki , Digital Creative Researcher , National Center for Art Research, Japan
FY2025 Digital Creative Project: Vvideo Pproduction Ssupport for “Voices from Manuscripts” at the National Museum of Western Art
The National Center for Art Research (NCAR) provides digital content production support to the various institutions of the National Museum of Art. In 2024, NCAR produced three video works in relation to the exhibition “Manuscripts from the Naito Collection in the National Museum of Western Art .” These videos were produced in 4K resolution (four times the pixel count of full HD) and used binaural recording, which creates a 3D sound replicating the experience of listening with both ears.
This video project was conceived following a highly praised lecture and concert held during the exhibition period by a musician researching medieval Western music and Gregorian chant singing techniques. The museum requested the creation of video content, and NCAR handled every step of the production process, including filming, editing, sound design, title design, and mastering.
In addition to providing digital content production support to the institutions run by the National Museum of Art, NCAR also researches and develops digital content for art museums and, building on advancements in 3DCG, VR, and high-resolution video, promotes the use of emerging technologies such as AI. In this video project, the aim was to enhance the quality of digital content using 3D sound captured with binaural recording, an emerging technique that has become a key part of immersive audio production.
Since being posted on April 14, 2025, these videos have reached a wide audience. They are available at the following links.
These videos can be enjoyed in a standard playback environment. However, the 3D quality of the sound can be appreciated more fully with stereo headphones or earphones. The implementation of this 3D audio was made possible thanks to the cooperation of Kazuo Kuwabara of Nagomi Laboratory, with whom NCAR plans to continue collaborating on future projects that use emerging technologies.
About the Digital Creative Project
NCAR promotes production support initiatives focused on using digital techniques to enhance the art-viewing experience at institutions run by the National Museum of Art. In parallel with these activities, NCAR conducts research into the demand for digital content at museums and advances the research and development of new digital content utilizing emerging technologies. Examples of past projects can be seen at the links below.
Example of Art Appreciation Experience Made Possible by Digital Technology
Playback: The Abstraction and Fantasy Exhibition (1953–1954)
Digital Creative Project Report: Video Production Support for the Rodin 3D Model Encyclopedia at the National Museum of Western Art
High-Resolution Video Production for the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo
4K Video: Yokoyama Taikan, Metempsychosis (1923) (Important Cultural Property of Japan)
4K Video: Ikeda Terukata & Ikeda Shoen, Sketchbook Flip Through: Close Look
Cooperation on video digitization for the National Museum of Modern Art, Tokyo’s official YouTube channel
Artist Talks 2005–2011
Digital Content at the official NCAR YouTube channel
Production of Artist Talk videos for the official NCAR YouTube channel
Production of Conservation Lecture videos for the official NCAR YouTube channel