Three hundred people are gathered together in the dark, poised with eager anticipation. My fiancé and I have traveled halfway across the world to be here, although only I knew we would be coming here, as this was a surprise I’ve planned.
Music begins, and projected art suddenly appears all around us. We look down at our feet to find they have been “painted” over. The walls appear to move as wild shapes and colors fly onto them. My mouth is wide open, and I stand in awe, as incredible artwork surrounds me.
Atelier Des Lumières is a new digital art center in the heart of the 11th Arrondissement in Paris. What once was a foundry has been converted into a museum for the modern age. It is an unconventional space, with slightly dipping floors, large struts coming out of the walls, and a metal staircase along one wall which leads up to a viewing platform. In one corner of the room is a small bridge over a shallow pool of water. The water lights up as it reflects the incredible digital interpretation of Sunflowers, as 140 projectors paint the walls around us with fantastic vivid color.
There are three exhibits at Atelier De Lumieres, although all three take place in this same space. The first, ‘Verse’ (Thomas Vanz in collaboration with Jonathan Fitas), is an original creation for the studio, and “a contemporary work” as the brochure calls it. ‘Verse’ takes us on a journey through outer space, with hypnotic visuals which get increasingly abstract over time, as space, time, and matter all merge into each other; it is a great showcase for the capabilities of the impressive projection system.
The second piece, ‘Dreamed Japan’ (Danny Rose), is a celebration of Japanese art and culture. Geishas, Samurai warriors, and animal spirits each take their turn appearing on the architecture. As Debussy’s La Mer plays, Hokusai’s famous painting of The Great Wave envelops us and we descend into the depths of the sea, surrounded by monstrous sea creatures. All of the projections are flat animated versions of the original pieces of art, rather than CGI models or wholly new works. I can see the brushstrokes and outlines on each character as they dance around the room, giving the projections a timeless quality.
But, of course, the highlight of the current season at Atelier Des Lumières is the exhibit focused upon the adopted son of the French, and the most famous artist in the world, Vincent Van Gogh. Starry Night (Gianfranco Lannuzzi, Renato Gatto and Massimiliano Siccardi) is the longest exhibit by far, running at around thirty minutes. It covers the tragic life of the painter, taking us on a whirlwind tour of his journey as an artist, as split up into 10 distinct sections. Van Gogh paintings I had never heard of, let alone seen, appear over and around us.
The paintings are projected on screen with clever digital animations and transitions, each one coming to life around you through custom technology developed by the creators of the museum. The results of the Art and Music Immersive Experience (AMIEX) system are a wonder to behold. Now digitized, the works of art move in spectacular choreography in time with the chosen music (more on that below). The blossoms of the almond tree cascade around the room. Sunflowers shine around us. A ship floats in a sea reflecting the incredible starry night sky. The piercing eyes of Vincent seem to follow you around the room, as his famous self-portrait takes on a 3D effect using clever computer modeling. Scrawling handwriting appears all over the room as we dive further into the life and the art of Van Gogh.
All the while, a well-crafted playlist of music accompanies the beautiful artwork. It is an eclectic mix, from classical favorites (I saw more than one person attempt to Shazam the earworm “Vissi D’arte” from Puccini’s Tosca) to Miles Davis to contemporary classical work (Longobardi’s “Mozart Recomposed” is particularly striking) to Moses Sumney. As we listen to Nina Simone croon “Don’t let me be misunderstood,” the lyrics and the paintings take on a new life and meaning. The heartbreak of Van Gogh’s tragic journey, from his undiscovered and unappreciated work during his lifetime, to his eventual suicide, resonates very clearly with the audience.
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Within the main space lies a circular silo, a small shelter from the incredible visuals that abound. Within this silo a separate projection which shows the specific pieces of art that have served as the inspiration for the main show. The creators seem to have read my inquisitive mind with this small room, as the titles, dates, and current locations of each piece of art are displayed with the painting, like a real-time search engine answering the questions that will bug your brain later. It is a beautiful experience to be able to appreciate the original artwork while enjoying the amazing visualizations. If only the artists could see what their work has inspired today.
There are two slightly out of place additions to the space, which seem to be there purely for the Millennial generation. An infinity room, full of floor-to-ceiling mirrors giving the illusion of being surrounded by copies of yourself and of the artwork being projected, feels like an unnecessary addition. Also, in the back corner, there is a photo booth, for a chance to get that much-needed picture of oneself. Both extras felt out of place, and during our visit, they both seemed mostly empty. With the amazing projections going on all around, I’m not sure why the curators felt the need to include these.
Part of the beauty of the entire Atelier Des Lumières experience is the appeal and accessibility of the artwork. Around me are young trendy types, making the most of the artwork for their Instagram followings. Next to them are a tour group of octogenarian ladies, cooing, and ahh-ing as flowers cascade around us. Next to them are children, running and laughing around the space, chasing the giant art around the room. A woman in one corner is meditating, while next to her a couple is laying down to look up at The Night Sky. All are welcome, and all can appreciate this magnificent space, and the masterpieces that are being shown, each in their own way, staying in the space for as long as you like.
The audience is almost entirely silent, but not in enforced silence, but in a quiet reflective one. As each projection ends, the room fades to darkness and applause breaks out. This loving response to the artwork moved me every single time.
Just two days earlier, we had been to the magnificent Musee d'Orsay where we were able to see several of Van Gogh’s original paintings in person. But it is a strange environment, one where tourists (ourselves included) move through as quickly as possible to see the art, to take a picture of it, and to move on to the next great masterpiece/social media profile picture opportunity.
Here at the Atelier Des Lumières, you are quite literally drawn into the picture, as the projections screen onto you, and as you stare deeper into the beauty that surrounds you. You are welcome to sit, stand, explore, or to run and play. This approach to engaging audiences with art history is not only entertaining but educational.
So, is this the future of museums and galleries? Atelier Des Lumières is a fantastic achievement in immersive art, in digital and virtual projections, and potentially for the future of the art world. I do not believe that it is looking to replace or supersede the institutions that we have around the world, nor is it a replacement for seeing the originals in person. Instead, it is a way to make art more accessible, to be a welcoming home for those who may not be entirely comfortable at a museum, or for those who want to explore the artwork in a new way. The impact that Atelier Des Lumières will have is hard to say, but to have seen the smiling faces of such a wide range of people in the room, I know that it can only be for good.
Here’s to painting a brighter future together.
The Atelier Des Lumières is currently open in Paris.
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