V&A / Digital Installation / Case Study
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Please enable Flash to view this content
The Making of Forever / Film directed by by Jack Laurance & Rex McWhirter
1 of 20,000 unique postcards
1 of 20,000 unique postcards
1 of 20,000 unique postcards
20,000 Unique Postcards
Please enable Flash to view this content
20,000 Unique Postcards
iTunes Video Podcast
#2 in the USA iTunes Arts podcast chart
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Challenge
The Victoria & Albert Museum commissioned us to create the Madejski Garden Winter Light Installation for 2008-9, to mark the start of their new digital programme of exhibitions. Besides being an engaging artwork, it had to be weatherproof, and have a presence beyond the Museum.
The Victoria & Albert Museum commissioned us to create the Madejski Garden Winter Light Installation for 2008-9, to mark the start of their new digital programme of exhibitions. Besides being an engaging artwork, it had to be weatherproof, and have a presence beyond the Museum.
Process
The ornate courtyard setting opened many possibilities. From screens hidden around the garden, to laser-projection onto the buildingbefore arriving upon using the central lake as the stage - an untouchable audio-video artwork floating above the lake, reflecting into the water.
The ornate courtyard setting opened many possibilities. From screens hidden around the garden, to laser-projection onto the buildingbefore arriving upon using the central lake as the stage - an untouchable audio-video artwork floating above the lake, reflecting into the water.
Development
We developed bespoke audio-visual software using generative processes to ‘grow’ an ever-changing artwork; a continuous upward movement of forms and colours dances to an evolving soundtrack.
-
Inspired by and in contrast to the artefacts and sculptures of the museum, the artwork was ever-changing. From minute-to-minute, day-to-day it brought a life of its own - from minimal, quiet shyness to wild playfulness.
We developed bespoke audio-visual software using generative processes to ‘grow’ an ever-changing artwork; a continuous upward movement of forms and colours dances to an evolving soundtrack.
-
Inspired by and in contrast to the artefacts and sculptures of the museum, the artwork was ever-changing. From minute-to-minute, day-to-day it brought a life of its own - from minimal, quiet shyness to wild playfulness.
Delivery
A 4 metre high LED videowall and speaker system was placed above the water, connected to a Mac Pro generating the realtime audio and visual content. The software generates a daily video podcast of the artwork, forever. A series of 20,000 unique generative postcards were printed to promote the event.
A 4 metre high LED videowall and speaker system was placed above the water, connected to a Mac Pro generating the realtime audio and visual content. The software generates a daily video podcast of the artwork, forever. A series of 20,000 unique generative postcards were printed to promote the event.
Results
The installation had 100,000+ visitors throughout its 3 month stay, the video podcast spread worldwide reaching #2 in the iTunes Arts podcast chart.It has since been exhibited as 6 simultaneous window projections and 800 wall mounted postcards in the SIAD Gallery, Sheffield.
The installation had 100,000+ visitors throughout its 3 month stay, the video podcast spread worldwide reaching #2 in the iTunes Arts podcast chart.It has since been exhibited as 6 simultaneous window projections and 800 wall mounted postcards in the SIAD Gallery, Sheffield.
Decode touring exhibition
Forever forms part of the Decode exhibition, which has been shown at the following venues:
Design Museum Holon, Israel - November 2011 to April 2012
GARAGE Centre for Contemporary Culture, Moscow - February to April 2011
CAFA Art Museum, Beijing - October to November 2010
Forever forms part of the Decode exhibition, which has been shown at the following venues:
Design Museum Holon, Israel - November 2011 to April 2012
GARAGE Centre for Contemporary Culture, Moscow - February to April 2011
CAFA Art Museum, Beijing - October to November 2010
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Publicity
Kanye West's blog - http://www.kanyeuniversecity.com/blog/2009/01/va-forever/
Apple feature - http://www.apple.com/quicktime/guide/hd/making_of_forever.html
PFSK / USA - http://www.psfk.com/2009/01/generative-installation-evolves-as-audio-and-visual-influence-each-other.html
Fast Company / USA - http://www.fastcompany.com/blog/cliff-kuang/design-innovation/enchanting-animated-installation-london
....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
Credits
Matt Pyke / Karsten Schmidt / Simon Pyke / Philip Ward / David Barrington / Kleber