Appreciating Visual Aesthetics in the Nusantara Virtual Fashion Exhibition Platform: Discovering a “Wall-less” Digital Curatorial Framework

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The development of virtual exhibition platforms has generated both opportunities and technical-aesthetic challenges in constructing immersive curatorial environments. This study aims to examine the potential of “wall-less” spaces as arenas for artistic discourse and as media for cultural heritage preservation through a Design Thinking approach encompassing the stages of empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. Five prototypes of Indonesian traditional garments were developed as interactive three-dimensional models equipped with cultural narratives and interactive features, and subsequently exhibited through Artsteps and Oncyber.io.

The evaluation conducted with thirty respondents revealed that the platforms demonstrated significant strengths in terms of global accessibility, educational value, and interactive engagement. However, several limitations were identified, including technical constraints, restricted visual fidelity, and the need for deeper integration of Nusantara cultural narratives within the virtual environment. The findings further indicate that aesthetic appreciation in virtual exhibitions is shaped not solely by visual representation, but also by the interplay between interface design, user immersion, interactivity, and cultural storytelling. Based on these findings, the study proposes the development of a Digital Curatorial Framework (DCF) as a conceptual and operational model for designing virtual exhibition spaces that strengthen cultural heritage preservation in the digital era. The framework consists of five interrelated layers: (1) technological infrastructure supporting virtual experiences; (2) interface and user experience design fostering immersive interaction; (3) visual and narrative content integrating aesthetics with cultural storytelling; (4) cultural values and authenticity ensuring that digital reinterpretations remain grounded in traditional meanings; and (5) evaluation and iteration enabling continuous refinement through user feedback. Accordingly, the proposed DCF functions not merely as a technical curatorial guideline, but as an integrative conceptual framework that synthesizes visual aesthetics, digital user experience, and cultural preservation within the context of contemporary virtual exhibitions. The study therefore contributes to the expanding discourse on digital curation by positioning virtual exhibition spaces as dynamic environments for aesthetic engagement, cultural interpretation, and translocal artistic communication in the era of immersive digital media.