Museum Narratives Reimagined: Connecting Cultures via Web, AR, and Shared Experiences


The Museum of Teeth Culture (MoTC) isn’t just a museum—it’s a space where stories of humanity converge, using the universal theme of teeth as a gateway to explore cultural identities and shared experiences. Our tewam envisioned this project as a bridge—a place where the past meets the future, and where individual narratives weave into a collective tapestry of love, uncertainty, and resilience.


At its heart, MoTC is about connection. Through the integration of augmented reality (AR) and social media, the accessible vertual museum experience becomes more than an exhibition; it’s a living, commonal, breathing space for dialogue. Visitors aren’t just spectators—they’re participants, encouraged to share their own stories and find commonality in what makes us human. The interactive experiences, whether through virtual galleries, storytelling, games, or site-specific exploration, are designed to invite curiosity and foster evoking personal stories around teeth and empathy. With the provided tool - a toothless mascot, Toothie, inspired by The Flat Stanley Project, the audience is encouraged to look for a “pareidolia” of teeth for the doll that fits the cultural storyline. 

We were drawn to the deeply personal attachments and narratives people associate with teeth. From the universal childhood milestone of losing a tooth to the unique ways different cultures view and value them, teeth carry stories that are both intimate and shared.


What truly inspired this project was the realization that these stories offer a profound lens to explore cultural perspectives and societal norms. At the same time, they reveal the common human desires and connections that unite us. By delving into the rich and varied narratives surrounding teeth, we sought to create a space where universal experiences and cultural diversity intersect, fostering both discovery and connection.

Contextualizing the Museum of Teeth Culture: Bridging Cultural Gaps through Mixed Reality


Traditional museums have long been cherished spaces for learning, exploration, and the preservation of history and culture. However, they also face ongoing challenges in limited representation of cultures and histories, engaging diverse audiences, remaining relevant in a digital age, and providing inclusive experiences that reflect and celebrate the multiplicity of cultures and perspectives that make up our world.


The Museum of Teeth Culture, through its mixed reality and performative experience, addresses these challenges head-on, offering a unique, interactive, and culturally enriching journey for its visitors

American Museum of Natural History
Metropolitan Museum
Cooper Hewitt
Freedom Trail | dispersed storytelling
911 Memorial Museum

Subway Plays | site specific audio theater
Reid Walk︎︎︎| site-specific sound
Improv Everywhere MP3 Experiments︎︎︎| participatory, socialm surprising
Lost in Time | ourdoor, dispersed, tech-enabled

Web based Virtual Musem + Participatory AR Eexperience

Keywords: Informative, Inclusive, Performative, Sharable
Web, QR Code, AR, Social Media, and Branding 

Web Museum: Figma Prototype︎︎︎

Global Proverbs Onboarding

Visitors are introduced to the museum through a variety of teeth-related proverbs from different cultures, presented alongside the Museum's logo. This sets a global and inclusive tone, highlighting the universal nature of dental folklore.


Museum Welcome Message with Motion Graphics: Branding Video

The video opens with a warm and inviting greeting, featuring the humorous Christmas novelty song "All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth," written in 1944 by Donald Yetter Gardner. The playful lyrics, reflecting a child’s wish for their two front teeth to speak properly again, set a lighthearted and nostalgic tone.

Accompanied by motion graphics inspired by childhood wonder, the branding video creates a lively and engaging atmosphere. This design choice invites visitors of all ages to emotionally connect with the museum's theme, sparking curiosity through thought-provoking questions about teeth and cultural beliefs while encouraging further exploration.

Celebrating Diversity through Folktales around the World

Teeth have held significant meanings and played crucial roles in folktales and stories across different cultures and epochs. MoTC leverages this rich tapestry of narratives to create a vibrant and inclusive space where visitors, all age group, especially children, can immerse themselves in the folklore of various cultures.

Exploring Cultural Significance

Beyond folklore, teeth have been imbued with various meanings and significance across cultures. From symbols of strength and maturity to tools used in rituals and ceremonies, teeth hold a multifaceted role in human history. The Museum of Teeth Culture curates a diverse collection of artifacts, stories, and interactive exhibits that delve into these cultural nuances. Visitors are invited to explore and reflect on how something as universal as teeth can carry such varied and profound meanings across different societies.

Game Experience with MoTC Character, Toothie

To add a fun element to the museum experience, we’ve introduced an arcade game featuring Toothie, the MoTC character. This web-based game is designed primarily for entertainment, providing visitors with a playful break during their museum journey.
Hosting the game on the museum’s website also offers an opportunity for visitors to engage with the museum content from the comfort of their homes, potentially encouraging them to plan a return visit. While the game is a simple arcade-style experience, it serves as an additional touchpoint for visitors to connect with the museum’s themes in a casual and enjoyable manner.

︎︎︎ web wireframe


︎︎︎ web experience flow chart

Participatory AR and Sharable Experiences

Artivive (AR) and Social Media Integration

Museum of Teeth Culture (MoTC) melds  AR:Spark AR  and Artivive, and social media, inviting visitors to uncover common but unique global tales and traditions. We also developed an AR version of the Toothless Toothie - a Spark AR filter on Instagram - so that you can take a picture without the doll when you don’t have both hands available.

Visitors receive an expedition kit containing the tools for engagement: Toothie paper doll, Instagram AR filter QR code, story cards, and a map. 

Toothie, the MoTC character, comes to life as an Instagram filter, seamlessly integrating the museum experience with sharing social media platforms and guild users, using Artivive (AR), to diverse teeth stories around the world through AR experience. 

Visitors are encouraged to share their personal and stories and mixed museum experiences related to teeth and charms on Instagram, utilizing a designated hashtag – # This initiative not only extends the museum's reach and impact but also cultivates a virtual community, sparking dialogue and connection around the museum's central themes and messages, ultimately enriching the visitor's experience and contributing to a global conversation on cultural diversity and heritage.


Site Specific Toothie's AR Quest: A Gamified Museum Discovery

Embark on a fun scavenger hunt with the AR-activated Toothie doll. Visitors navigate Union Square Park, guided by a map hinting at hidden locations. This quest to uncover AR stories and visuals connected to global dental traditions turns each discovery into a game-like achievement. Unfolding stories connect to shared cultural values, making education an exciting pursuit. This interactive escapade enriches the museum experience, merging achievement and exploration in a seamless dance between the virtual and the tangible.

Language Inclusivity: Incorporating multiple languages in digital narratives to cater to a wider audience.

Seamless Integration of Web, AR, and Interactive Map: A fluid integration of web, AR, and an interactive map enhances visitors' engagement, bridging physical and digital experiences effortlessly. 

Detailed research︎︎︎
Project charts in Figma︎︎︎