Watchout makes possible a large-scale projection that brings Van Gogh back to life

Australian company Grande Exhibitions has turned to Dataton's Watchout multimedia solution to support the traveling exhibition 'Van Gogh Alive – The experience', an immersion in the work of the brilliant Dutch painter through light, the sound, movement and color that combines traditional art, multimedia display technology and cinematic direction to create an unprecedented experience that absorbs, educates and entertains.

The Watchout production and reproduction system Dataton It is being used as the backbone of image control in 'Van Gogh Alive – The experience', a traveling exhibition that redefines the concept of fine arts. Conceived and executed by Australian company Grande Exhibitions, ‘Van Gogh Alive’ exhibits some of the Dutch painter's most famous works, displayed on huge projection screens as part of an engaging multimedia show. The artist's paintings are interspersed with full-motion video and photographs of some of the places that inspired him., between the years 1880 y 1890, and there are more than 3.000 images in total.

The show is synchronized with a powerful classical score, and the automated production of everything is executed and controlled by Watchout. Dean Stevenson, of Interactive Controls, Dataton's partner in Australia and New Zealand, has pointed out: “Grande Exhibitions had previously used Watchout in other projects so it was the natural choice for 'Van Gogh Alive'. When Van Gogh Alive’ made its debut we built and supplied a system of 30 outputs to manage the contents of all projectors. In addition to ensuring that all media are on the same page, Watchout also allows Grande to automate the process so that a group of projectors can go from displaying individual images to a single one and then back again.. This is essential for a show like 'Van Gogh Alive', where the element of surprise is key – You never know what you're going to find next!, or where it will appear!”

Different screens

Instead images together, the design of 'Van Gogh Alive’ places screens a short distance apart, with some screens at right angles and others in parallel. This encourages visitors to move between the screens during the show, exploring nooks and crannies, seeing your favorite paintings from a new perspective, and immersing yourself in the vibrant colors of Van Gogh's paintings.

“La idea de sumergir al público en el arte es la clave de ‘Van Gogh Alive'”, continues Stevenson. “You see the images projected everywhere – not just in front and behind you, but also above you, on the roof, and even on the ground under your feet. So the show really takes advantage of Watchout's image processing capabilities to the fullest.”

Scalable installation

Another key attribute of 'Van Gogh Alive’ is that the show can be scaled to fit each installation. After having had its world premiere at the ArtScience Museum, by Marina Bay Sand, in singapore, last year, the show is currently showing in Antrepo 3, in Istanbul (Türkiye), and at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix (EU).

“For Phoenix installation, Interactive Controls built and supplied a new system that features 10 multi-output teams that run the show, each with its own Version license 5 the Watchout”, Stevenson adds.. “Conforms 'Van Gogh Alive’ go traveling the world, Grande will be able to adapt the system and use different Watchout configurations, depending on the configuration of the screens in each hosting location.”

Fredrik Svahnberg, Marketing Director of Dataton, has commented: “Gallery and museum owners are increasingly turning to multimedia shows as a way to engage their visitors in new and exciting ways., and we are delighted to say that Watchout is at the hearts of many of them. ‘Van Gogh Alive’ is a perfect example – a wonderful marriage of fine art with modern science that allows all the details of the artist's work to be seen in a way that simply would not have been possible just a few years ago. It is a privilege for Dataton to be associated with such a prestigious project, inspiring and educational”.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nELPO6snwvE[/youtube]