Step into the fascinating world of "Klimt Within You," an interactive installation commissioned by D-mines, the Dirty Monitor production company, for their mesmerizing immersive show "Klimt Falling in Gold" presented at the Wonderful Wonders Art Center (WWAC) in Shanghai.
This project aimed to immerse visitors in the iconic style of Gustav Klimt through an innovative blend of art and technology.
The Interactive Experience
As visitors enter the space, they are welcomed by a mesmerizing installation that sparks their imagination.
Imagine the excitement as they step into a world where AI transforms their portraits into mesmerizing artworks inspired by the legendary Gustav Klimt.
Imagine the excitement as they step into a world where AI transforms their portraits into mesmerizing artworks inspired by the legendary Gustav Klimt.
Embracing Klimt's Aesthetic
The distinct patterns, intricate details, and symbolic motifs that define Klimt's work are masterfully incorporated, ensuring that each resulting artwork is a heartfelt homage to the Austrian painter's extraordinary style.
An Intuitive Interface
The installation's user-friendly interface focuses on the visitor's artistic experience. Thanks to fluid interactions and a carefully designed user path, "Klimt within you" allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the interactive experience.
Robustness and Endurance
"Klimt within you" proved to be a robust and reliable installation, generating an impressive number of Klimt-inspired portraits, on some days reaching over 900 images. Its lasting stability has enabled visitors to enjoy it for four months. Proof therefore that this installation can handle a large number of visitors and provide a smooth, enjoyable experience for all.
A Versatile Experience
"Klimt Within You" is not limited to Klimt's style alone. Its versatility allows it to adapt to any artist, art style, or visual genre, making it the perfect addition to your upcoming exhibition. By incorporating this interactive installation, you can offer your visitors a unique and unforgettable artistic adventure, while showcasing the convergence of art and technology in a truly captivating way.
Personal Note
Working on this project has been a journey of discovery and learning. It allowed me to delve into the work, history, and life of Klimt, gaining a deeper appreciation for his artistry.
Beyond that, what made this project truly significant for me was the chance to create positive emotions and joy for people on the other side of the world. It has been a heartwarming experience to touch lives with art and technology, bridging distances through shared emotions.
General Information
Title: Klimt Within You
Category / Type: Interactive, photo booth, immersive
Year of creation: 2023
Artists / collaborators:
- Florent Schirrer (artist)
- Dirty Monitor / D-Mines (production)
- Florent Schirrer (artist)
- Dirty Monitor / D-Mines (production)
Artistic Statement / Concept
Main theme / core idea:
Transform visitors into artworks inspired by Gustav Klimt, merging classical art with modern technology.
Transform visitors into artworks inspired by Gustav Klimt, merging classical art with modern technology.
Philosophy / message:
The installation offers a playful, contemplative experience. Each portrait is captured and converted into a unique Klimt-style image, allowing participants to interact directly with art and technology.
The installation offers a playful, contemplative experience. Each portrait is captured and converted into a unique Klimt-style image, allowing participants to interact directly with art and technology.
Material / symbol:
Final images feature Klimt’s signature decorative motifs, golden touches, symbolic patterns, and textures. The photograph becomes a canvas for reinterpretation.
Final images feature Klimt’s signature decorative motifs, golden touches, symbolic patterns, and textures. The photograph becomes a canvas for reinterpretation.
Core experience:
Visitors experience delight and wonder as they see themselves transformed into artwork, creating personal and shared moments of fascination.
Visitors experience delight and wonder as they see themselves transformed into artwork, creating personal and shared moments of fascination.
Setup / Technical Description
Physical elements:
- Large display screen
- Kinect camera for depth capture
- Diffuse lighting for proper image capture
- High-end computer with RTX GPU
- Large display screen
- Kinect camera for depth capture
- Diffuse lighting for proper image capture
- High-end computer with RTX GPU
Interactive components:
- Kinect for detecting participants in the interaction zone
- TouchDesigner + StableDiffusion to process and stylize portraits
- Local AI algorithm for fast image generation
- Kinect for detecting participants in the interaction zone
- TouchDesigner + StableDiffusion to process and stylize portraits
- Local AI algorithm for fast image generation
Visual output:
Transformed portrait displayed on the screen for each visitor
Transformed portrait displayed on the screen for each visitor
Dimensions / space requirements:
- Eye-level screen from floor to slightly above head height
- Free area in front for participants
- Diffuse lighting for accurate capture
- Eye-level screen from floor to slightly above head height
- Free area in front for participants
- Diffuse lighting for accurate capture
Interaction Scenario
Initial action:
Participant stands in front of the screen, triggering a countdown.
Participant stands in front of the screen, triggering a countdown.
Progression:
Photo is captured, AI converts it into Klimt-style artwork over ~10 seconds.
Photo is captured, AI converts it into Klimt-style artwork over ~10 seconds.
Collective interaction:
Single-user interaction; portraits processed individually.
Single-user interaction; portraits processed individually.
Feedback:
Participant immediately sees the artistic result on the screen.
Participant immediately sees the artistic result on the screen.
End of experience:
Image displayed for ~20 seconds, then replaced by next participant.
Image displayed for ~20 seconds, then replaced by next participant.
Context and Logistics
Support / co-production:
Dirty Monitor / D-Mines
Dirty Monitor / D-Mines
Exhibition history:
- Klimt Falling in Gold, Wonderful Wonders Art Center, Shanghai, China, 2023
- Klimt Falling in Gold (real-time version), former Sportshub Library, Singapore, 2024
- Klimt Falling in Gold, Wonderful Wonders Art Center, Shanghai, China, 2023
- Klimt Falling in Gold (real-time version), former Sportshub Library, Singapore, 2024
Setup / teardown time:
- Screen and camera setup: 1–2 hours
- Calibration: 1–2 hours
- Screen and camera setup: 1–2 hours
- Calibration: 1–2 hours
Estimated budget:
€ 6 000 – € 10 000
€ 6 000 – € 10 000
