Tag Archives: Arts and Culture

Dive into Diwali at home with Google Arts & Culture

Every autumn, millions of people around the world come together for firework displays, feasts, prayer, and festivities in celebration of Diwali—the festival of lights. Millions of clay lamps illuminate homes and public spaces. Floors are covered with cheerful rangolis to bring good luck. With the food, family and festivities, Diwali is all about the experience of coming together, and the vibrant spectacle of color and light, but the global pandemic changes how we celebrate this year. Google Arts & Culture has created a virtual Diwali experience that everyone can be a part of, wherever you are in the world.

Diwali AR GIF

Festive lights in Augmented Reality

To recreate some festival fervor, try out a new Augmented Reality experience. Decorate your space virtually with diyas (lamps), detonate virtual anar (firecrackers), for some explosive, playful fun, and to learn more about these important cultural traditions.
Celebrate Diwali with Google Arts & Culture
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Dive into Diwali from home

Google Arts & Culture has partnered with over 20 cultural heritage organisations to launch Diwali @ Home. Striking images and immersive online stories weave a journey through the festival of lights, its legends and folklore, and dive into the sights, sounds and smells of an iconic festival.
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    Month of Kartika from the collection of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya

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    Dokra Diya from the collection of Banglanatak

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    Radha and Krishna Watching Fireworks in the Sky from the collection of National Museum, New Delhi

The color, food, festivities and nostalgia of Diwali are shared through new online exhibitions from partner institutions including Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Indian Museum, National Museum and many more.

Interactive art coloring book for family fun

There’s also plenty of hands-on fun for families with interactive coloring books—in artworks inspired by traditional Indian paintings in a specially developed coloring book! Find it with Google Search, simply by searching for “Diwali” on your phone.


Lady Lighting a Lamp from the collection of Salar Jung Museum, and a page from the interactive Diwali art coloring book

Lady Lighting a Lamp from the collection of Salar Jung Museum, and a page from the interactive Diwali art coloring book

Finally, watch a video conversation between Amish Tripathi, author and Director of The Nehru Centre, and art historian broadcaster and former museum director Neil MacGregor on Diwali and why it’s particularly special this year.

So, with the help of a little Google magic, we hope our Diwali @ Home experience adds to your festive cheer as you celebrate in your own way this year, on the Google Arts & Culture app foriOS andAndroid.

Rebuilding Japan’s Shurijo Castle in the Cloud

When fire struck Okinawa’s Shurijo Castle in October 2019, it damaged a part of Japanese history dating back to the Ryukyu Kingdom of 1429-1879.

The Japanese government is planning to rebuild the site—but that process will take time. To preserve and highlight the castle’s heritage and culture in the meantime, Google Arts & Culture and the Okinawa Prefectural government are launching a digital project called Reconstructing Shurijo Castle. 

We spoke with Denny Tamaki, the Governor of Okinawa, about the exhibition’s significance. 

Tell us what you’re most excited about with this project. 

It would definitely be the 3D reconstructed models of Seiden Temple, the main temple of Shurijo Castle. The model was built by a group of engineers, students and computer vision and VR researchers. They collected 80,000 photos shared by 3,000 people across the globe who wanted to see the digital reconstruction of this beloved site and preserve the legacy of Ryukyu culture for generations to come. 

We hope this online exhibition will rekindle fond memories for those who have visited Shurijo Castle, and that those who have yet to see the site will be even more excited about visiting once it’s restored.  

What are some of the other highlights for you? 

One of the stories allows you to experience the beauty of the castle from an architectural point of view. You can explore the Main Hall of the castle, which was decorated using Ryukyuan lacquerware, characterized by its vivid red color, the use of inlaid seashells and various Ryukyuan artistic motifs incorporating Japanese and Chinese influences. 

There is also "Then and Now: Shurijo Castle From The Sky", which begins with a drawing of Shurijo Castle from the first half of the 19th century. It gives you a bird’s eye view of the castle over the years, including after the tragic fire of 2019, and through to the restoration efforts underway today.

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    The main hall of the castle.

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    The throne room that was on the second floor.

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    An aerial shot of Shurijo Castle in 2019, before the fire.

What does this project offer audiences, both in Japan, and all over the world? 

Between 1429 and 1945, Shurijo Castle was destroyed by fire four times. Each time, it was restored. 

During the last war in particular, the castle was destroyed without a trace, but the main hall was restored in 1992, thanks to the dedication of ordinary citizens. The castle is a beautiful symbol of resilience and endurance in today’s modern world. 

Shurijo Castle is representative of Ryukyu culture and we believe that by learning about this extraordinary site, people all over the world will be able to experience the history and culture of the Ryukyu Kingdom and the splendor of Okinawa.

Celebrating 20 years of human life on the ISS with NASA

Today we're proud to announce on Google Arts & Culture a new online celebration of this week’s 20th anniversary of humans living and working on the International Space Station (ISS). Created in collaboration with NASA, this project includes NASA collections, stories, and some new games to help anybody learn more and engage in this important milestone in space exploration.

20 years ago, when the first crew of permanent astronauts, cosmonauts, and researchers arrived at their new home on the ISS it opened a new chapter in human space exploration. Today, we’re able to look back on all that’s happened, fromcutting-edge research to benefit humanity, to building essential foundations for international cooperation on our shared home: Earth.

For the first time on Google Arts & Culture, viewers will be able to explore a newly uploaded 3D model of the ISS, making it possible to bring the station back down to Earth and undertake fascinating examinations of each module of the station in incredible detail.

Also debuting is a new multiplayer Puzzle Party experiment. As our first game produced in collaboration with a single partner, it includes a dedicated set of images from NASA’s ISS archives on Google Arts & Culture to play with your friends and family. Piece together photographs ranging from the exterior views of the space station toastronauts on spacewalks, to learn more about the incredible work being done up in orbit.

Feeling inspired? Now you can recreate and remix some of the most iconic shots from the ISS — from shuttle launches to sightings of Earth from the station’s picture window known as the Cupola — with a NASA edition of the Art Coloring Book experiment, allowing anyone to make these images their own.

Dr. Gary Kitmacher, Mission Manager for ISS Communications and Education, helped curate the NASA experiences and provided subject matter expertise to this project. “I have dedicated 36 years of my life following and reporting on this incredible human adventure and the amazing achievements of the ISS. Partnering with Google Arts & Culture on this ISS 20th Project enables NASA to bring these stories to a new audience.”

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    Customize iconic images from the past 20 years of the ISS in your favorite colors with the NASA Edition of the Art Coloring Book.

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    Explore the space station in three dimensions with a highly detailed model created by NASA experts.

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    The International Space Station photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking.

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    NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Expedition 23 flight engineer, works with experiment hardware in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) located in the Columbus laboratory of the International Space Station.

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    Space shuttle Endeavour rises on twin columns of flame from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station.

We are excited to celebrate and share with everyone the human achievement that is the International Space Station with NASA through this Google Arts & Culture project.

Celebrating 20 years of human life on the ISS with NASA

Today we're proud to announce on Google Arts & Culture a new online celebration of this week’s 20th anniversary of humans living and working on the International Space Station (ISS). Created in collaboration with NASA, this project includes NASA collections, stories, and some new games to help anybody learn more and engage in this important milestone in space exploration.

20 years ago, when the first crew of permanent astronauts, cosmonauts, and researchers arrived at their new home on the ISS it opened a new chapter in human space exploration. Today, we’re able to look back on all that’s happened, fromcutting-edge research to benefit humanity, to building essential foundations for international cooperation on our shared home: Earth.

For the first time on Google Arts & Culture, viewers will be able to explore a newly uploaded 3D model of the ISS, making it possible to bring the station back down to Earth and undertake fascinating examinations of each module of the station in incredible detail.

Also debuting is a new multiplayer Puzzle Party experiment. As our first game produced in collaboration with a single partner, it includes a dedicated set of images from NASA’s ISS archives on Google Arts & Culture to play with your friends and family. Piece together photographs ranging from the exterior views of the space station toastronauts on spacewalks, to learn more about the incredible work being done up in orbit.

Feeling inspired? Now you can recreate and remix some of the most iconic shots from the ISS — from shuttle launches to sightings of Earth from the station’s picture window known as the Cupola — with a NASA edition of the Art Coloring Book experiment, allowing anyone to make these images their own.

Dr. Gary Kitmacher, Mission Manager for ISS Communications and Education, helped curate the NASA experiences and provided subject matter expertise to this project. “I have dedicated 36 years of my life following and reporting on this incredible human adventure and the amazing achievements of the ISS. Partnering with Google Arts & Culture on this ISS 20th Project enables NASA to bring these stories to a new audience.”

  • image.png

    Customize iconic images from the past 20 years of the ISS in your favorite colors with the NASA Edition of the Art Coloring Book.

  • Screenshot 2020-10-26 at 11.38.09 AM.png

    Explore the space station in three dimensions with a highly detailed model created by NASA experts.

  • image-CAF0IhEK5ZiaHg-large.jpg

    The International Space Station photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking.

  • image-6gHdilW1jria1w-large.jpg

    NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Expedition 23 flight engineer, works with experiment hardware in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) located in the Columbus laboratory of the International Space Station.

  • image-nwEU2sE03VVoYw-large.jpg

    Space shuttle Endeavour rises on twin columns of flame from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station.

We are excited to celebrate and share with everyone the human achievement that is the International Space Station with NASA through this Google Arts & Culture project.

Celebrating 20 years of human life on the ISS with NASA

Today we're proud to announce on Google Arts & Culture a new online celebration of this week’s 20th anniversary of humans living and working on the International Space Station (ISS). Created in collaboration with NASA, this project includes NASA collections, stories, and some new games to help anybody learn more and engage in this important milestone in space exploration.

20 years ago, when the first crew of permanent astronauts, cosmonauts, and researchers arrived at their new home on the ISS it opened a new chapter in human space exploration. Today, we’re able to look back on all that’s happened, fromcutting-edge research to benefit humanity, to building essential foundations for international cooperation on our shared home: Earth.

For the first time on Google Arts & Culture, viewers will be able to explore a newly uploaded 3D model of the ISS, making it possible to bring the station back down to Earth and undertake fascinating examinations of each module of the station in incredible detail.

Also debuting is a new multiplayer Puzzle Party experiment. As our first game produced in collaboration with a single partner, it includes a dedicated set of images from NASA’s ISS archives on Google Arts & Culture to play with your friends and family. Piece together photographs ranging from the exterior views of the space station toastronauts on spacewalks, to learn more about the incredible work being done up in orbit.

Feeling inspired? Now you can recreate and remix some of the most iconic shots from the ISS — from shuttle launches to sightings of Earth from the station’s picture window known as the Cupola — with a NASA edition of the Art Coloring Book experiment, allowing anyone to make these images their own.

Dr. Gary Kitmacher, Mission Manager for ISS Communications and Education, helped curate the NASA experiences and provided subject matter expertise to this project. “I have dedicated 36 years of my life following and reporting on this incredible human adventure and the amazing achievements of the ISS. Partnering with Google Arts & Culture on this ISS 20th Project enables NASA to bring these stories to a new audience.”

  • image.png

    Customize iconic images from the past 20 years of the ISS in your favorite colors with the NASA Edition of the Art Coloring Book.

  • Screenshot 2020-10-26 at 11.38.09 AM.png

    Explore the space station in three dimensions with a highly detailed model created by NASA experts.

  • image-CAF0IhEK5ZiaHg-large.jpg

    The International Space Station photographed by Expedition 56 crew members from a Soyuz spacecraft after undocking.

  • image-6gHdilW1jria1w-large.jpg

    NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson, Expedition 23 flight engineer, works with experiment hardware in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG) located in the Columbus laboratory of the International Space Station.

  • image-nwEU2sE03VVoYw-large.jpg

    Space shuttle Endeavour rises on twin columns of flame from Launch Pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida on the STS-134 mission to the International Space Station.

We are excited to celebrate and share with everyone the human achievement that is the International Space Station with NASA through this Google Arts & Culture project.

Art to inspire the future with the United Nations

October 24th is United Nations Day, and this year we’re marking 75 years of the United Nations (UN75). To commemorate this anniversary, the United Nations Secretary-General asked the world, “What are your hopes for the future?” Over one million people from every country spoke up, expressing their thoughts and ideas for the future we want.

One of the ways people answer this question is by making art. That’s why we’ve partnered with Google Arts and Culture to bring online a collection of over 500 artworks created in response to this prompt. We’re inviting everyone to learn more about how contemporary artists are answering today’s challenges and helping us imagine a better future. Exhibits include The Future is Unwritten, with inspiring contributions from nine international artists, as well as the Agora photo exhibit, which features submissions from members of the public exploring #TheWorldWeWant.

You too can join this conversation by creating your own Street Galleries, a new online tool allowing you to “project” selected artworks in the streets of cities around the world and share the images with your friends to spark a conversation.

Don’t know where to start? Find inspiration in the Street Galleries created by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake.

  • Ban Ki-moon _ Street Gallery.png

    Explore the Street Gallery created by Ban Ki Moon and projected onto the UN Global Headquarters in New York.

  • image-_gFfvSyzJhUR3A-large.jpg

    Discover the work of nine global artists who use their creativity to inspire a better, more sustainable world for all in The Future Is Unwritten.

  • image-2wG0Zutg-R0GrQ-large.jpg

    See incredible photos from around the world as part of the #TheWorldWeWant exhibition.

  • image-NwEjYn9wfn49wA-large.jpg

    Zero Hunger, by Emmanuel Jarus, is a mural that raises awareness about food insecurity, and reflects on a world where everyone has access to the food they need and the vision of zero hunger by 2030.

  • image-9wGcgAtogsKQKA-large.jpg

    Learn how artworks like this realistic portrait drawing, titled Self-Acclaimed,  by the self-taught Nigerian artist Kalejaye O. Tosin, can create new dialogues as  part of the Global Conversation 2020 exhibition.

  • image-6QGvDNjcT5N1XA-large.jpg

    Listen to the result of the”Composing Your Future” initiative which invited musicians between the ages of 18 and 30 to compose a piece inspired by the central theme of “The Future We Want.”

We invite you to join us at this moment of reflection, of listening, and of coming together as a human family to discuss how we can respond to the big trends shaping our future.

Art to inspire the future with the United Nations

October 24th is United Nations Day, and this year we’re marking 75 years of the United Nations (UN75). To commemorate this anniversary, the United Nations Secretary-General asked the world, “What are your hopes for the future?” Over one million people from every country spoke up, expressing their thoughts and ideas for the future we want.

One of the ways people answer this question is by making art. That’s why we’ve partnered with Google Arts and Culture to bring online a collection of over 500 artworks created in response to this prompt. We’re inviting everyone to learn more about how contemporary artists are answering today’s challenges and helping us imagine a better future. Exhibits include The Future is Unwritten, with inspiring contributions from nine international artists, as well as the Agora photo exhibit, which features submissions from members of the public exploring #TheWorldWeWant.

You too can join this conversation by creating your own Street Galleries, a new online tool allowing you to “project” selected artworks in the streets of cities around the world and share the images with your friends to spark a conversation.

Don’t know where to start? Find inspiration in the Street Galleries created by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake.

  • Ban Ki-moon _ Street Gallery.png

    Explore the Street Gallery created by Ban Ki Moon and projected onto the UN Global Headquarters in New York.

  • image-_gFfvSyzJhUR3A-large.jpg

    Discover the work of nine global artists who use their creativity to inspire a better, more sustainable world for all in The Future Is Unwritten.

  • image-2wG0Zutg-R0GrQ-large.jpg

    See incredible photos from around the world as part of the #TheWorldWeWant exhibition.

  • image-NwEjYn9wfn49wA-large.jpg

    Zero Hunger, by Emmanuel Jarus, is a mural that raises awareness about food insecurity, and reflects on a world where everyone has access to the food they need and the vision of zero hunger by 2030.

  • image-9wGcgAtogsKQKA-large.jpg

    Learn how artworks like this realistic portrait drawing, titled Self-Acclaimed,  by the self-taught Nigerian artist Kalejaye O. Tosin, can create new dialogues as  part of the Global Conversation 2020 exhibition.

  • image-6QGvDNjcT5N1XA-large.jpg

    Listen to the result of the”Composing Your Future” initiative which invited musicians between the ages of 18 and 30 to compose a piece inspired by the central theme of “The Future We Want.”

We invite you to join us at this moment of reflection, of listening, and of coming together as a human family to discuss how we can respond to the big trends shaping our future.

Art to inspire the future with the United Nations

October 24th is United Nations Day, and this year we’re marking 75 years of the United Nations (UN75). To commemorate this anniversary, the United Nations Secretary-General asked the world, “What are your hopes for the future?” Over one million people from every country spoke up, expressing their thoughts and ideas for the future we want.

One of the ways people answer this question is by making art. That’s why we’ve partnered with Google Arts and Culture to bring online a collection of over 500 artworks created in response to this prompt. We’re inviting everyone to learn more about how contemporary artists are answering today’s challenges and helping us imagine a better future. Exhibits include The Future is Unwritten, with inspiring contributions from nine international artists, as well as the Agora photo exhibit, which features submissions from members of the public exploring #TheWorldWeWant.

You too can join this conversation by creating your own Street Galleries, a new online tool allowing you to “project” selected artworks in the streets of cities around the world and share the images with your friends to spark a conversation.

Don’t know where to start? Find inspiration in the Street Galleries created by former Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon and the Secretary-General's Envoy on Youth Jayathma Wickramanayake.

  • Ban Ki-moon _ Street Gallery.png

    Explore the Street Gallery created by Ban Ki Moon and projected onto the UN Global Headquarters in New York.

  • image-_gFfvSyzJhUR3A-large.jpg

    Discover the work of nine global artists who use their creativity to inspire a better, more sustainable world for all in The Future Is Unwritten.

  • image-2wG0Zutg-R0GrQ-large.jpg

    See incredible photos from around the world as part of the #TheWorldWeWant exhibition.

  • image-NwEjYn9wfn49wA-large.jpg

    Zero Hunger, by Emmanuel Jarus, is a mural that raises awareness about food insecurity, and reflects on a world where everyone has access to the food they need and the vision of zero hunger by 2030.

  • image-9wGcgAtogsKQKA-large.jpg

    Learn how artworks like this realistic portrait drawing, titled Self-Acclaimed,  by the self-taught Nigerian artist Kalejaye O. Tosin, can create new dialogues as  part of the Global Conversation 2020 exhibition.

  • image-6QGvDNjcT5N1XA-large.jpg

    Listen to the result of the”Composing Your Future” initiative which invited musicians between the ages of 18 and 30 to compose a piece inspired by the central theme of “The Future We Want.”

We invite you to join us at this moment of reflection, of listening, and of coming together as a human family to discuss how we can respond to the big trends shaping our future.

India’s mini-masterpieces brought to life with AI and AR

Miniature paintings are among the most beautiful, most technically-advanced and most sophisticated art forms in Indian culture. Though compact (about the same size as a small book), they typically tackle profound themes such as love, power and faith. Using technologies like machine learning, augmented reality and high-definition robotic cameras, Google Arts & Culture has partnered with the National Museum in New Delhi to showcase these special works of art in a magical new way.

Virtually wander the halls of a pocket gallery

Inspired by the domes and doorways that punctuate Indian homes and public spaces, this is the first AR-powered art gallery designed with traditional Indian architecture. Using your smartphone, you can open up a life-size virtual space, walk around at your leisure and zoom into your favorite pieces—you have this beautiful museum to yourself!

Domes and doorways

The first AR-powered art gallery inspired by the domes and doorways of India.

Art meets AI, with Magnify Miniatures

Miniatures are rich in detailed representations of topics that have shaped Indian culture. Thanks to machine learning, you can now discover these attributes across a collection of miniature paintings. Select from tags like ‘face’, ‘animal’, or even ‘moustache’, and see where these features occur!

Magnify miniatures

Take a closer look with immersive in-painting tours 

Art Camera, our ultra-high-resolution robotic camera, was deployed to produce the most vivid images of masterpieces ever seen. Using these images, we’ve created over 75 in-painting tours to help you stop and appreciate details like wisps of smoke from firecrackers, or see the finesse and variety of every person’s attire in this royal procession—flourishes that you wouldn’t be able to see well with the naked eye.

Art camera

You can zoom in to see the wisps of smoke in this miniature titled "Lady Holding a Sparkler"

Explore thousands of rich stories and images 

The virtual collection includes 1,200 high resolution images from 25 collections all around the world and more than 75 stories, depicting scenes that include legendary marriage processions, the joy of being among nature, or epic battles. Curious minds, students and families will find playful and educational ways to enjoy the world of Indian miniatures, such as an interactive coloring book. 

We’re glad that through the power of technology, people all over the world can engage with these miniature masterpieces like never before.


Mashujaa: Celebrate the communities of Kenya with Google Arts & Culture

Today in Kenya we’re celebrating Mashujaa Day, or National Heroes Day, and honoring the remarkable people who have shaped our nation. We are shining the spotlight on a pantheon of cultural and folk heroes, and how their superpowers continue to be the strength and heartbeat of not only the communities from which they came, but all of Kenya. We need days like these to remind us how our shared heritage and our diversity unites us as people, and it is therefore with great pride that I unveil the second chapter of the online project Utamaduni Wetu: Meet the People of Kenya, created in collaboration with the National Museums of Kenya, Google Arts & Culture and the creative agency Shujaa Stories. 


Originally launched in 2019, Utamaduni Wetu: Meet the People of Kenya is Google’s most ambitious digitization project to date in Africa, and one of the first digital content features on the subject of Kenyan communities. Everyone can now explore over 10,600 high-resolution photographs, 170 expert-curated exhibits, 80 Street Views of 16 sites and learn more about the intangible heritage and stories of the country’s 44 communities officially registered by the government. The exhibits shine light on the regions, history, traditions, morals, worldview and wisdom of Kenya’s communities, some of whose stories—usually passed on through oral history—have been written down and shared online for the first time.

Today, on Mashujaa Day, I am delighted to announce that we now have at least one superhero for each of our 44 communities, and I invite you to explore their stories on Google Arts & Culture. Originally conceived by the late Masidza Sande Galavu and Jeff Muchina of Shujaa Stories, the first 21 heroes were unveiled at an exhibition at the National Museums of Kenya  and online as part of Utamaduni Wetu: Meet the People of Kenya. Now, thanks to the leadership of Dr. Mzalendo Kibunjia, the Director General of the National Museums of Kenya, a dedicated team of researchers, curators, academics and young creatives has worked to bring 40 more stories to life. They have travelled far to get first-hand knowledge of the communities and passionately researched, documented and illustrated a total of 61 heroes spanning cultures, generations, gender and geography.

The government’s collaboration with Google Arts & Culture has democratised access to Kenya’s rich heritage and enabled more people to discover our culture and human connections in new, exciting and interactive ways. It has also encouraged real-life visits to the country’s museums, monuments and heritage sites.

I encourage you to read each of the stories, and be inspired by the achievements and bravery of each superhero. They are a celebration of the values and the heritage of the peoples of Kenya and of our unity in diversity. I would like to echo the words of the great author Ngũgĩ wa Thiong’o, who said, "The peoples of Kenya have an incredible richness of history and culture. Learning from what we already have, from all the communities, is the way into the world."