An Immersive Look Into Northern Russia’s Village Life—Powered by Art and Augmented Reality
In Kostroma, students and museum curators are using animation, parallax effects, and AI narration to bring the legacy of Efim Chestnyakov to life.
From Peasant Weddings to Underground Spirits
Ten paintings by the visionary Russian artist, philosopher, and storyteller Efim Chestnyakov are being reimagined as part of a new multimedia installation in the Kostroma State Museum of History, Architecture, and Art. Students from Kostroma State University are developing a digital route through the museum’s existing exhibition, 'Russia in the Roots,' as part of a project titled 'Let’s Sit and Have Chit-Chat.'
Using 3D animation, parallax visuals, and literary narration, the paintings are coming to life—not just visually, but sonically. Visitors will be able to attend a peasant wedding, join village youth in old-fashioned gatherings, sing traditional carols, and even encounter the 'lizun,' a mythical basement-dwelling creature from Northern Russian folklore.
Chestnyakov’s body of work is a vibrant homage to the rhythms and rituals of rural life in the Russian North. Through digital technologies, viewers won’t just observe—they’ll become participants in the world he painted.
Rebranding Heritage Through Student Collaboration
As explained by Marina Shaposhnikova, head of the museum’s education center, the project aims to recontextualize traditional Russian art for a new generation. Collaboration between the museum and KSU students began in 2022 with animated presentations of Chestnyakov’s paintings during Museum Night, followed by a citywide interactive quest called 'Heroic Kostroma' in 2023.
Now, a full-scale concept is being developed for a permanent digital extension to the Chestnyakov exhibit. The new AR route will be embedded into the museum’s infrastructure and will connect with other existing initiatives honoring the artist.
By engaging local youth, 'Let’s Sit and Have Chit-Chat' is not just an art-tech fusion—it’s a template for promoting regional cultural identity. Chestnyakov is considered one of Kostroma’s most original and symbolic painters, and his stories deserve attention far beyond the Russian heartland.
When Education and Entertainment Converge
The rise of edutainment—a fusion of education and entertainment—is changing how museums engage with the public. Russian and international institutions are adopting this approach to attract diverse, tech-savvy audiences. Kostroma’s Chestnyakov project fits this model perfectly: it’s centered on a non-mainstream artist with a deeply regional focus and is built through a grassroots collaboration between students and curators.
The result is a compelling case study in how digital storytelling, augmented reality, and AI-generated narration can drive cultural tourism and educational outreach. Visitors no longer come just to view; they come to create, remix, and co-experience. For students, this is a gateway to professional skills that extend beyond museum work—into design, heritage management, and even regional development.
Funded by a grant from the Russian North Museums Program, 'Let’s Sit and Have Chit-Chat' is already being considered a blueprint for other regions hoping to revitalize their own local brands through student partnerships and immersive tech.
