News

Digital graphics provider designs interactive experience for art gallery

June 23, 2016

Labs, a division of Framestore and provider of digital graphics, applications and technological solutions for installations, museums, galleries and events, has partnered with Bloomberg to deliver two new interactive gallery experiences that connect visitors to the artwork at Tate Modern's extension, the Switch House, according to a press release from Framesource.

The installations are designed for the rooms "Bloomberg Connects: Explore Performance" and "Bloomberg Connects: Explore Artists' Cities" at the Tate Modern, a London museum of contemporary and modern art.

"The art world is always evolving, and as such is a prime place for experimentation in terms of formats, media and interactivity," said Tom Schwarz, installation director for Labs. "Our ongoing relationship with Tate, and our collaboration on this second major project with Tate Modern, proved the ideal opportunity for us to challenge ourselves to not only enhance but redefine the gallery experience."

"Bloomberg Connects: Explore Performance" invites visitors to view content related to the history of live art, using their own motion within the space to drive the content display, the release said. Upon entering the room, strategically placed lighting draws the viewer toward designated areas where sonar sensors trigger Tate Modern content to appear on the walls, using projectors by QED Productions. The experience is heightened by a directional audio system, ensconcing the viewer in their own personal interaction with the projected films. Visitors are transported around the space, both emotionally and physically, through programmatically linked chapters of work.

"Each element of the installation — the lights, sensors, sound — was researched and interrogated to reach our final configuration," Schwarz said. "Even once sourced it was necessary to build both custom software and hardware to house and connect the sensors, meaning the work we present here for Bloomberg Connects at Tate Modern is entirely bespoke. We were able to use our expertise and experience in this field to go direct to manufacturer, collating ideas and knowledge to craft all-new solutions, before getting to grips with the soldering irons ourselves."

"Bloomberg Connects: Explore Artists' Cities" offers a new viewing experience of Tate Modern’s collection of international art. The 8-meter-by-4-meter space is flooded with color and light through the placement of five projectors by QED Productions, filling the floor surface and back wall with animated images, the release said. A real-time, GPU-based particle system works to "spin" visitors around a world map, before settling on the location of one of the international artists in Tate's collection. The projection then switches from cartography to biography, displaying a splits-creen array of artworks and profile information and interviews. Once told, the stories fade to black, before the room spins once more to transport viewers to the next destination.

"We're very happy to have been collaborating again with Framestore following the wonderful success of the Bloomberg Connects: The Timeline of Modern Art. The new Bloomberg Connects 'Explore' spaces will give more opportunities for Tate Modern's millions of visitors to explore and interact with the collection in new and engaging ways," said Ros Lawler, digital director for Tate.