Smithsonian American Art Museum’s Post

🔍 The Importance of Collaboration Between Digital Management and Scientific Methods in Art Preservation 🎨 In the vibrant realm of art, where creativity, history, and culture converge, preserving and elevating artworks and collections is paramount. At ARTES, we envision a future where digital management and scientific methods seamlessly collaborate to revolutionize how we conserve, study, and appreciate art. This synergy not only safeguards our artistic heritage but also opens new horizons for exploration and interpretation. 1️⃣ Enhanced Conservation Techniques: Digital management tools like high-resolution imaging, 3D scanning, and advanced databases allow for precise, non-invasive examination and documentation of artworks. Combined with scientific methods such as chemical analysis and environmental monitoring, we can develop tailored conservation strategies to ensure optimal preservation conditions. 2️⃣ Uncovering Hidden Narratives: Infrared reflectography and X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, managed through advanced digital systems, reveal hidden layers and previous restorations. These technologies provide deeper insights into an artist’s process and the historical context, enriching our understanding and uncovering stories that might have remained hidden for centuries. 3️⃣ Virtual Restoration and Visualization: Digital restoration techniques offer non-invasive ways to hypothesize the original state of damaged artworks. Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) applications managed digitally enable immersive experiences, allowing enthusiasts to explore virtual reconstructions and historical settings. 4️⃣ Democratizing Access to Art: Digital management has democratized access to art, breaking geographical barriers. High-resolution digital archives and virtual museum tours enable global access to art collections, supporting educational initiatives and fostering a global appreciation for art. 5️⃣ Innovative Research and Documentation: AI-driven analytics and digital databases enhance research capabilities, uncovering patterns and connections in vast data collections. Scientific methods like radiocarbon dating provide precise chronological and material data, supporting robust, multidimensional art research. At ARTES, we are committed to driving this collaboration between digital management and scientific methods in the art world. By blending these disciplines, we ensure that the beauty, stories, and essence of our artistic treasures endure for future generations. 🌟 #ArtPreservation #DigitalManagement #ScientificMethods #ArtHistory #Innovation #AR #VR #ARTES #CulturalHeritage #ArtConservation #FutureOfArt

Aesthetics in XR XR-experiences are often hyped on social media for their interactive and playful character but not as much for their aesthetics and visuality. Spatial computing is still an emerging technology that poses all kinds of challenges in terms of high aesthetic standards. With “Anomaly” we decided to take this on and created a multiplayer XR-prototype that is not only playful, emotional and interactive but also visually appealing. Our approach is to implement high aesthetics in both, the real and the virtual realm, to create a seamless and coherent experience. We curated a selection of minimalistic and characteristic bowls and designed and animated a range of digital humanoid assets that become physically interactible in XR. Contrasting levels of abstraction create excitement and the desire to explore. Experience what it feels like to touch and interact with our carefully crafted digital assets and thereby bring an inanimate digital alter-ego to life. Play and experiment with us in extended realities! “Anomaly” is an installation-prototype within the framework of the “empty-shells” XR-exhibition, a research project initiated by Professor Betty Schimmelpfennig at Hochschule RheinMain, in collaboration with Elastique. Elastique. core team on this project: Àrmin Ludl David Le Casper Westhausen David Neu Anastasia Pashinskaya Andreas Schimmelpfennig Annalena Moor Cornelius Dämmrich Beatrice Cadar Betty Schimmelpfennig Elastique. 🖤 Hochschule RheinMain #xr #extendedreality #mr #mixedreality #spatialcomputing #digitalidentities #digitallifeforms #phygital #touchingthedigital #multisensory #hapticinteractions #multiplayer #multiperspectivestorytelling #metaquest3 #unity

Introducing Trish Gianakis, professor, art director, and Emmy Award-winning immersive artist with over two decades of experience in digital media. Known for her use of AI, Photoshop, and augmented reality, Trish’s RAKU sculptures and digital paintings explore powerful themes of healing, resilience, and mythology. Her expertise has led her to collaborations with industry giants like Major League Baseball, AMC TV, and icons like Elton John. She’s also pioneering new frontiers in XR with her work in virtual reality and augmented reality set design. Let’s discuss how extended reality is transforming the future of art. What trends do you see shaping this space

“of letting go” Size: 36" x 50" (estimated length ) pentaptych medium: Mixed media(Acrylic, Ballpoint, graphite, Gell, pigment ink, Print, photograph and adhesive) on Glass, Board ,canvas and Paper with Digital Augmented reality overlay In "of letting go," I delve into the intricate and often painful journey of release and surrender, using both traditional and augmented reality mediums. This piece serves as a confession of a hoarder of memories, both tangible and intangible. Through a layered collection of artworks, I explore how we, as humans, capture, preserve, and eventually decide to let go of memories that once held great significance. The integration of augmented reality adds a digital dimension to the physical artwork, symbolizing the sacred space of the smartphone. This technology allows viewers to uncover hidden layers, revealing deeper connections to the artist's memories. By engaging with the app, viewers participate in an extended reality that forms a pact of trust, where the artist promises to reveal stories beyond the visible, tangible layers—a test of trust and engagement. The artwork incorporates collage, ripped artworks, prints, and various materials representing my time on Earth and the accumulation of tangible experiences. The act of destroying former materials and repurposing them onto a new surface is a cathartic process, symbolizing the simultaneous acts of destruction and creation. These elements illustrate my personal journey and the transformative nature of letting go.

What criteria define "advanced" art for you? Art constantly pushes boundaries and redefines itself. But what constitutes the "most advanced" art form? Today, let's explore art through different lenses: Technical Virtuosity: AI Art: Algorithms generate ever-evolving creations, blurring the lines between human and machine creativity. Biotechnology Art: Living organisms or biomaterials become integral parts of the artwork, raising ethical and artistic questions. VR Art: Immersive experiences transport viewers into the heart of the artwork, challenging traditional modes of engagement. Conceptual Innovation: Performance Art: Fleeting experiences blur the lines between art and life, sparking dialogue and questioning definitions. Conceptual Art: Ideas and concepts take center stage, challenging aesthetic expectations and provoking intellectual engagement. Social Practice Art: Art becomes a tool for social change, addressing issues and fostering community interaction. Interactive Engagement: Interactive Installations: Artworks react to viewers, creating a dynamic experience that invites participation. Participatory Art: Audiences become co-creators, injecting their own ideas and perspectives into the artistic process. AR Art: Digital elements seamlessly blend with the real world, offering a layered and dynamic artistic encounter. The answer? It depends. There's no single "most advanced" form; the beauty lies in the diversity and ability to challenge perspectives. What criteria define "advanced" art for you? Share your thoughts in the comments! #ArtDiscussion #ArtHistory #Creativity #EmergingArt #TheFutureofArt

Digital technology has redefined art in today’s world. There are softwares that expand the artist’s range and creativity. There are arts discovering innovative ways through Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

MKF3621 Assessment 3 Reflective Folio 6. Guest Seminar In week 7, Dane and James from The Taboo Group presented a seminar on Art Direction, which was especially interesting to me as I am in charge of the art director in an upcoming group project for a client pitch. Their insights into the art direction process provided valuable guidance that I can directly apply to my role. One of the key points from their presentation was the definition of art direction itself, which involves guiding the visual elements of a creative project to communicate a message or idea. This resonated with me because it highlighted that art direction is not only about making things look visually appealing, but also ensuring that visuals align with the broader strategy and connect with the audience on an emotional level. The five step process that outlined: ideation, concept development, pre-production, production and post-production, gave me a clear framework for my responsibilities as an art director. This structure will enable me help my team through the creative process efficiently. Another key takeaway was their emphasis on emerging technologies such as AI, AR, and VR. The future of art direction is changing due to the quick development of these tools, and their advice to explore a wide range of artistic fields including these tools is also something that I aim to do more in the early future. Overall, this seminar has boosted my confidence in handling the art direction for our client pitch, as I now have a clear understanding of how to deliver visuals that resonate strategically with the audience.

“Empty Shells” is a research project initiated by Professor Betty Schimmelpfennig at Hochschule RheinMain, in collaboration with Elastique. The project takes a deep dive into the topic of “digital identities” with a focus on haptic and multisensory interactions, which can be explored in inividual XR-installations that aim to truly interlink the analogue and the digital, supported by seamless integration (via Meta Quest 3). “Anomaly” is one installation within the framework of the “Empty Shells” XR-exhibition: Users are encouraged to collaboratively encounter their digital self in an easy, playful, sometimes disturbing way. Humanlike replicas often appear to be an inanimate empty shell. At what point and through which human assets, does an avatar appear to be human? For this interactive exploration we created a hybrid phygital setting consisting of analogue bowls on a table, that contain various digital objects. These assets carry different tonalities and unique sounds that evoque emotional impact when being picked up or being placed on the lifesize avatar standing next to the user. Interacting with and “decorating” the pure avatar confronts us with our own virtual counterpart and makes us question its very impact on us. Developing immersive XR-experiences like “Anomaly” is made possible through the emerging technology of spatial computing, implemented in XR-Headsets like the Meta Quest 3. Adding a custom note with our very own aesthetic and conceptual approach is made possible through coding in Unity. This allows us to develop entirely new experiences for the new extended space with the visitor at the intersection of real and virtual. Elastique. core team on this project: Àrmin Ludl David Le Casper Westhausen David Neu Anastasia Pashinskaya Andreas Schimmelpfennig Annalena Moor Cornelius Dämmrich Beatrice Cadar Betty Schimmelpfennig Elastique. 🖤. Hochschule RheinMain #xr #extendedreality #mr #mixedreality #spatialcomputing #digitalidentities #digitallifeforms #phygital #touchingthedigital #multisensory #hapticinteractions #multiplayer #multiperspectivestorytelling

Imagine waking up to headlines that Marilyn Monroe, the epitome of Hollywood glamour and mystery, is poised for a digital resurrection. 🌟 Thanks to the pioneering efforts of San Francisco-based Soul Machines, this isn't just a page from a sci-fi novel; it's the dawn of an era where 'Biological AI' bridges the gap between past legends and future technology. The concept might seem like something straight out of a movie script. Yet, here we are, standing on the precipice of innovation that can recreate historical icons in digital form. This isn't about replacing human interaction but enhancing our connection with history, art, and culture in ways previously unimaginable. Soul Machines' approach is not merely about crafting sophisticated avatars; it's about infusing them with life-like emotions and responses. We're talking about an interactive Marilyn Monroe who can engage with fans and audiences as if time had never passed. What does this mean for the future of entertainment? For education? For digital interaction? The implications are vast and varied. Imagine interactive educational modules where historical figures teach their own stories or marketing campaigns led by icons of the past. It opens up a universe where the boundaries between time periods blur, offering immersive experiences that were once thought impossible. Yet, with great power comes great responsibility. As we navigate through this exciting frontier, ethical considerations must be at the forefront of our exploration. How do we respect the legacy and consent of those who have passed? How do we ensure these technologies enrich society rather than diminish the value of human creativity? This isn't just about bringing Marilyn back to virtual life; it's a testament to human ingenuity and our relentless pursuit of transcending limitations. But let's not forget to tread carefully, maintaining a balance between innovation and integrity. #Technology #Innovation #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalRevolution #MarilynMonroe

I am finally defending my dissertation, "Designing Mixed Reality to Improve Spatial Perception and Accessibility", on March 6 at 8:00 am CST (6:00 AM PST) From the kind strangers in the hallways who I accosted to participate in my studies (😅), to the friends and family who have encouraged me along the way, I am incredibly grateful to everyone who supported me throughout this journey! Join me virtually, or in person, if you're free! Livestream (via Zoom): https://lnkd.in/e_XNVQUs Abstract: Understanding how both normally-sighted and visually impaired users perceive space when wearing immersive mixed reality (MR) displays is essential for developing effective applications to the widest audience possible. This is especially important given the abundance of prior research which has provided evidence that people's perception of depth is distorted in MR head-mounted displays (HMDs). Previously, researchers postulated that graphical realism was desirable to mitigate distortions in depth perception that occur when virtual information is superimposed onto real world scenes in augmented reality (AR) displays. However, my research challenges this idea and provides evidence to the contrary that non-photorealistic graphics may be useful for improving spatial perception for both normally sighted and visually impaired people.   To investigate the influence of rendering techniques on people's perception of space, I conducted a series of behavioral studies with normally-sighted individuals that evaluated how graphical elements influenced surface contact perception and egocentric depth perception judgments. The results from these studies provide evidence against the theory that consistent, realistic graphics are requisite for accurate depth perception in AR. I then developed an immersive vision impairment simulation to create a controlled environment for studying the impact of central and peripheral vision loss on people's depth perception, as well as the impact of non-photorealistic graphics in MR for individuals with visual field loss. This evaluation demonstrated differential impacts of central and peripheral vision loss on people's distance judgments. And it provided evidence that non-photorealistic graphics can be employed to enhance depth perception for visually impaired AR users.