Report Overview

Between 2021 and 2024, the MacKenzie Art Gallery developed DETAIL as a free, open-source resource that builds upon real-world exhibition experiences, both within the Gallery and through partnerships with other organizations.

Digital Exhibition Development Workflows

Developing digital exhibitions requires a structured yet flexible approach, borrowing from both traditional curatorial practices and software development methodologies.

Digital Exhibition Collaborators

In the development of digital exhibitions, it’s important to understand an artist’s relationship with their technology.

Pilot Projects

Une vue panoramique avec de l'herbe au premier plan, une rivière et des arbres en arrière-plan. Un écran de bande-annonce de jeu montre un homme animé en tenue d'époque avec du texte. Les boutons intitulés « Cliquez pour télécharger » et « Appuyez sur « T » pour plus d'informations » sont visibles.

Pilot Projects Background

A critical part of developing DETAIL was the pilot projects. These three digital exhibitions informed the prefabs and templates.

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Screenshot of Digital exhibition: Katie Micak: THERE IS NO CENTRE. A virtual lobby space, with title

THERE IS NO CENTRE

In this exhibition the visual language of gaming is adapted to explore how the presentation of an artwork in a digital environment shifts the viewer’s role as a player and challenges traditional exhibition-making norms.

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Un paysage serein avec des collines verdoyantes sous un ciel bleu clair à l'aube. Au premier plan figure le texte lumineux « Echoes from the Future » dans une police élégante, avec un bouton blanc intitulé « Enter » en dessous.

Echoes from the Future: Speculative Creatures & Post-Human Botanicals

The virtual exhibition was a first-person, multi-platform, multi-user experience supporting voice and audio for virtual reality headsets and desktop.

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Screenshot of Wake Windows: The Witching Hour digital exhibition.

Wake Windows: The Witching Hour

Rather than using the standard video game-style keyboard controls, WASD, to navigate 2D or 3D space, the exhibition introduced a text-based navigation system that increased accessibility for audiences without gaming experience.

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Further Information

Collaborator Biographies

The artists, designers, and technologists who contributed to DETAIL’s digital art exhibitions.

Acknowledgements

The individuals, organizations, and partners who supported and contributed to the DETAIL digital art exhibitions.

Glossary

Key terms and concepts related to DETAIL.

Contact

Questions can be directed to cbluemke [at] mackenzie.art