Pop-Up VR Museum Brings Dutch and Flemish Masterpieces to the Masses
Virtual Reality Museum Showcases Dutch and Flemish Old Masters Online
In a groundbreaking move, the newly launched Kremer Museum offers an immersive virtual reality (VR) experience that brings the masterpieces of Dutch and Flemish Old Masters to a global audience. Unlike traditional museums, every aspect of the Kremer Museum, from its ornate golden frames to its domed atrium, is entirely digital.
Digital Museum Offers Unlimited Access to Art Collection
Collectors George and Illone Kremer, who have dedicated over two decades to amassing works by renowned artists such as Rembrandt van Rijn and Frans Hals, envisioned the Kremer Museum as a means to transcend the limitations of physical exhibition spaces. By creating a digital gallery, they can showcase their entire collection simultaneously, eliminating the constraints of limited wall space and transportation logistics.
Photogrammetry Technique Creates Immersive VR Art Experience
To digitize their collection, the Kremers employed a cutting-edge technique called photogrammetry. Each painting was photographed thousands of times, allowing the team to capture every detail with unparalleled accuracy. This technique enabled them to create realistic virtual replicas that immerse viewers in the intricate brushstrokes and textures of the original works.
Digital Walkways and Orb-Shaped Gallery Enhance VR Experience
Architect Johan van Lierop designed the museum’s virtual environment with meticulous attention to detail. Digital walkways spiral out from a central plateau, guiding visitors through individual galleries filled with landscapes, history scenes, and genre paintings. The centerpiece of the museum is an elaborate, orb-shaped gallery that pays homage to the artistry of the Dutch Golden Age.
Pop-Up Events Provide Sneak Preview of Upcoming Virtual Reality Museum
While the Kremer Museum will be accessible via smartphone app in early 2018, art enthusiasts can experience a sneak preview by attending one of the museum’s upcoming pop-up events. Dates and locations will be announced on the Kremer Collection’s website.
Overcoming Physical Museum Limitations Inspires Virtual Art Collection
The Kremers’ decision to create a virtual museum stemmed from the frustrations associated with physical exhibition spaces. “You can publish catalogues, put together exhibitions, or build a museum, but even then, only one painting can be in one place at a time,” said George Kremer. “Now, with VR, we can bring people in until the servers burn out.”
By embracing the limitless possibilities of virtual reality, the Kremer Museum offers a groundbreaking platform for experiencing and appreciating the masterpieces of Dutch and Flemish art. Its immersive VR experience, coupled with the ability to showcase the entire collection simultaneously, sets a new standard for art museums in the digital age.