Mana Tupuna 1.0 Virtual Exhibit

OVERVIEW

The Mana Tupuna Project, launched as COVID-19 halted in-person access to heritage sites, provides the Rapanui with virtual access to ancestral carvings held in international collections. Using 3D modeling, VR, and 360° photography, the project enables the Rapanui people to reconnect with their heritage while promoting language and cultural education. By revisiting these pieces, the Mana Tupuna Project not only preserves cultural narratives but critiques colonial museum practices, empowering the Rapanui in their journey of decolonization, cultural continuity, and self-determination.