When a temporary exhibition closes, it usually disappears. The physical installation is taken down, and the only remaining record is often a handful of still photographs or a short video. For cultural venues this is a real limitation - the work that went into the show is effectively lost to future audiences.
You can see more of my 360 virtual tour work for galleries, hotels and commercial spaces here: → 360 Virtual Tour Photographer London
Japan House London approached this problem differently. They asked me to create fully interactive 360 virtual tours of their exhibitions so that each show could continue to exist online long after it had closed.
That first project became one of their most successful online offerings. Since then I’ve continued working with them on a series of high-end interactive virtual exhibitions that have grown in both scope and technical complexity, and which now form a permanent digital archive of their temporary shows.
Isaku Gotoh, Creative Designer at Japan House London, said:
“We've worked with Dean for over five years producing the 360 virtual exhibitions at Japan House London. His work lets us share our exhibitions with people who can't visit us in person, making them more accessible. He's reliable, easy to work with, and consistent. It's been a joy to work with him.”
Here’s a selection of the work.
Anno’s Journey: The World of Anno Mitsumasa
This was the original 360 virtual tour I created for Japan House London. It features multiple connected spaces, interactive hotspots, and detailed views of Anno Mitsumasa’s intricate illustrations. The gallery team wanted visitors to be able to move freely through the exhibition and experience the work properly online.
Stephanie Marley from Japan House later said:
“Dean was quick, efficient and a pleasure to work with. His finished product has been one of our strongest and most-visited online offerings this year.”
WAVE: Currents in Japanese Graphic Arts
A bold exhibition of Japanese graphic arts, illustration and counterculture. This one is particularly relevant for contemporary galleries - dense, visual, and focused on pure artwork.
Architecture for Dogs
Architectural designs for dogs by leading Japanese architects including Kengo Kuma, Shigeru Ban and Sou Fujimoto.
Windowology: New Architectural Views from Japan
An exploration of how windows shape architecture, space and daily life in Japan.
Looks Delicious! Exploring Japan’s Food Replica Culture
A highly detailed exhibition looking at the hyper-realistic food replicas used outside restaurants across Japan.
Hyakkō: 100+ Makers from Japan
A rich celebration of contemporary Japanese craft featuring work by more than 120 makers.
Full Japan House Virtual Exhibition Archive
In addition to the tours featured above, Japan House London has also published virtual exhibitions for:
Together these 360 virtual tours form one of the most complete interactive digital archives of any cultural venue in London.
Why Galleries Use 360 Virtual Tours
Temporary exhibitions disappear once they close. A well-made interactive 360 virtual tour turns that temporary show into a permanent, explorable archive that can remain on the institution’s website indefinitely.
For galleries and museums this offers clear advantages:
Extended audience reach beyond the physical run of the exhibition
Greater accessibility for people who cannot visit in person
A lasting digital asset rather than a one-off cost
Rich content that keeps visitors on the website longer
All of these tours are shot using professional DSLR cameras, producing ultra-high-resolution imagery starting at 16K and going up to 32K and beyond. This level of detail is important when the subject matter includes fine craft, intricate illustration, or carefully designed installations. The tours are then built with seamless navigation, interactive hotspots, and custom icons and graphics designed to match Japan House’s brand, so viewers can explore at their own pace on desktop, mobile or VR headsets.
Looking for a 360 Virtual Tour Photographer in London?
I specialise in high-end interactive 360 virtual tours for galleries, museums, hotels and commercial spaces.
You can see more of my work here: → 360 Virtual Tours
If you’re planning an exhibition or would like to create a permanent digital archive of your space, feel free to get in touch.
Dean Wright
London-based 360 virtual tour photographer
07946 473516