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Our visit to the Cleveland Art Museum was awe-inspiring. Their collections are World Class. They have integrated state-of-the-art technology as a way to showcase and teach about their collections. They told us that every major museum in the world has visited to check out their new gallery that utilizes an Artlens app on an iPad as a wireless interactive personal guide for visitors.
Let me try and explain. Almost every piece of art in the museum collection is photographed and put into a giant digital database. These photographs are shown on a giant touch screen monitor. Once you identify a piece you want to know more about or go and see just touch it and zap it gets bigger and other info magically appears. When you have finished figuring what you want to go and learn about you can save it and up pops a three dimensional picture of the museum and where each of your objects is located.
My favorite part of this technological wonderland was another way this 8’ by 80’ smart screen displayed the artwork. It would select themes like life and death or Morning and Night. Up pops 40 objects from all over the museum with that theme. Now the art and artifacts are displayed on the screen right next to each other. Other themes we saw displayed were birth, faces with emotions, and war. I found this a very powerful way to show how different cultures created art about the same themes and issues. It showed the universal values and struggles all human beings face.
You can also carry around your iPad with Artlens app because most artwork can be further accessed for more info and videos from experts answering questions about the piece. If you are without an iPad, one can be rented for $5.
The collections include many early Roman, Greek, and Egyptian rarities. There were artifacts from early Christian artist and many Byzantine tapestries, textiles and manuscripts. There are amazing displays of Tiffany glass and Faberge jewelry. A “Tantra in Buddhist Art” Special Exhibit highlighted Tantric practices that help you reach enlightenment more quickly. Contemporary pieces include Al Weiwei’s Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads Bronze Series. The 12 large Zodiac Heads are place in a open space that show off their power.
The Museum space seemed the perfect balance between its large spaces and the treasures inside. It’s easy to walk around and if you are not interested in using the technology the signage is easy to read and understand. Admission is free. The Provenance Café and Restaurant offers a great view and healthy meal. Their parking garage provides convenient access to the museum. There is also metered parking on the street nearby.
Website:www.clevelandart.org
September 7, 2023
