The highly anticipated blockbuster Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe opens exclusively at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) this weekend and, thanks to some nifty work from QUT experts, it’s a fully interactive experience.
Dr Deb Polson, from QUT’s School of Design, led the team that collaborated with Gallery staff, including exhibition curator Amanda Slack-Smith, to create several interactive elements that will give gallery visitors new kinds of experiences and insights into the creative processes and practices of artists and technicians.
Showcasing more than 500 objects including costumes, sets, props, storyboards, original comics, concept art and films, ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’ is the largest Marvel exhibition ever presented in an art museum.
“Through a number of hands-on interactives developed by QUT in collaboration with QAGOMA staff, exhibition visitors can expect to interact with their favourite Marvel characters in ways they may never have before imagined,” Dr Polson said.
“We have designed virtual mirrors (see video below) that scan your movements and allow you to control stunning life-size character models from the very latest cinematic releases. There is also a wall of touch-screen interactive maps to explore the complex connections between characters.
“We have created a dynamic visualisation of the Marvel Universe that enables people to discover the rich constellation of cinematic events and diversity of super heroes and villains, their powers, skills, and origins. In the first few rooms of the exhibition, you can follow clues on your mobile to link the artefacts on display with scenes from Marvel films.”
Ms Slack-Smith said QUT had played an important role in bringing aspects of the exhibition to life.
“It’s extremely exciting to have worked with QUT on elements within the exhibition as Deb Polson and her team are well-known internationally for creating memorable experiences with digital technologies,” Ms Slack-Smith said.
“The inclusion of various interactive elements within the Marvel exhibition has been absolutely essential to enhancing opportunities for audience participation and engagement.
“Visitors will be able to insert themselves in the Marvel Universe and be exposed to the many elements involved in creating it.”
Dr Polson said the opportunity to work on the exhibition was a rare honour.
QAGOMA has a well-deserved international reputation for pushing the boundaries and ‘Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe’ is a great example of that,” said Dr Polson, who leads a small team of young, talented design and science graduates at an experimental studio at QUT.
“The exhibition has provided so much inspiration for our students, and QUT working collaboratively with QAGOMA on a project such as this is a great example of the future of creative practice and creative minds coming together to achieve great outcomes.”
Marvel: Creating the Cinematic Universe is showing at GOMA from 27 May – 3 Sep 2017.
QUT is part of a national collaborative group of five major Australian universities that form the ATN (Australian Technology Network of Universities).
Media contact:
Amanda Weaver, QUT Media, 07 3138 9449, amanda.weaver@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901, media@qut.edu.au
