Create a 3D Online Exhibition of Your Art

by guest writer Erica Goldemberg

3D virtual exhibitions are an exciting way of promoting individual artists, art events, galleries and cultural spaces to a worldwide audience.

 

 

In these “new normal” times, lockdowns are a frequent measure of protection against COVID. Online exhibitions have become a great alternative for art lovers, offering an enjoyable, risk-free viewing experience.

Although online exhibitions have been available for years, the latest technology gives artists and event promoters creative control over the virtual environment. A wide variety of virtual gallery interiors are available and can even recreate an existing physical space if desired. The ability to customize wall colors, flooring and ceilings, and add frames to virtual art allows you to reflect your personal style and integrate cohesive design elements.

Virtual exhibitions are convenient and accessible, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for the duration of the show. They may last a week, a month, or even exist as a permanent exhibition that can be regularly updated. Online exhibitions reach a global audience of collectors who, although not able to visit the physical space, can remotely access a rich and interactive experience.

Enter the virtual space at will. It’s queue-free and can be revisited whenever desired. And since repeatedly viewing the display helps collectors develop an understanding and appreciation for the artist’s work, there is significant long-term benefit in terms of recognition and sales.

 

 

A curator can prepare for a physical exhibition by first arranging different pieces of art on a virtual and interactive replica. They can make final selections and choose the order in which art will be hung in the show, then preview it online. This is a cost-effective planning system that saves time, money and unnecessary artwork handling. Production, shipping and logistics can be organized in advance. Additionally, the gallery team can work with artists remotely to convey a palpable vision of how the curation will look when in place.

Moreover, a temporary in-person show can last indefinitely in the form of a virtual duplicate. When the original exhibition is replicated online, it has the potential to reach more art lovers. And, it acts as a permanent exhibition record in virtual form on the gallery’s website.

Collectors are increasingly buying exquisite art pieces from the comfort of their homes. Using a virtual exhibition app to create and host an online auction is another way of conducting business. The possibilities are almost endless.

 

 

How to build a Virtual Exhibition

ArtPlacer is a platform for building virtual exhibitions that provides an easy and smooth 3D gallery experience, examples of which are shown in this article. Begin by selecting a Virtual Gallery or renting a VIP one. View images and floor plans of the galleries. Take a virtual tour through an interactive demo that shows beautiful art in the public domain before making your selection. Or, contact ArtPlacer if you want to replicate your existing physical space and they will build it for you.

To set up curation, upload images of artworks to be hung in the virtual space. Order and reorder the collection until you find the proper flow between the pieces. Customize the floor texture, wall and ceiling colors to achieve the overall look you are searching for. Then, select from a variety of frame options to make the art “pop” in the online gallery. Frame options include a variety of natural woods such as cherry, ash and walnut as well as clean painted frames. These are available with and without matting. Or, choose floating frames for thick canvases.

Information is important for exhibition visitors and details such as title, medium, artist name and description should be added to enhance the visual experience. PDF files can be uploaded for viewers to open.  They may contain a bio, artist or gallery statement, insights about the curation, social media profiles, website links and more.

After all selections have been made and everything is in place, hit “publish” and your 3D online gallery is ready to share! Promote the event through a link to the exhibition space or to your ArtPlacer profile. Or place the virtual gallery exhibition right on your website through an easy-to-use embed code (see an example below.) It can now be accessed worldwide on any computer or other device.

Take a Tour

Experience the 3D gallery experience right now by viewing the virtual exhibition “Figments” featuring the work of Leslie Kell. A digital artist from Austin, Texas, she has been operating a freelance design business for over 25 years. Kell developed an original technique that synthesizes the artistry of both design and photography. She works with architectural and natural forms to create surreal environments in which her photos are assembled into the spaces and patterns of her designs.

“The space between reality and illusion is where the magic happens. It’s in that moment when they slide into each other and produce a sublime encounter that transcends memory and time. Walk through this surreal exhibit and experience the complex and layered works I’ve created. “ – Leslie Kell

Click “Enter” on the image below to take a virtual gallery tour.  See a video of this tour on YouTube here.

 

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Advantages of Presenting in 3D

Virtual artworks presented side by side give an idea of scale and the impact of each piece in a room. Some gallery environments include benches for a better understanding of dimensions. Compare this to artworks presented by themselves on an individual webpage with no room settings or references to appreciate the difference a virtual environment makes.

Through intuitive navigation, visitors can “walk a gallery space” that provides an overall sense of spatial awareness. The entire collection and individual artworks can be approached from many perspectives and at different angles for an experience that mimics real life.

Attendees can zoom in, look at details, inquire and buy artwork directly from the website. Online sales are rising and many galleries and artists are developing new ways of satisfying the growing number of online buyers. Ecommerce that originates within the 3D virtual gallery space reduces “friction” and encourages purchasing.

ArtPlacer has integrated Augmented Reality with the online exhibition space, leading to an array of new possibilities. When visiting the exhibition on a mobile device, this technology gives attendees the chance to superimpose a favorite piece of art on their own living room or desired space as a personalized service. Seeing a piece of art under consideration on their own wall actively engages the visitor with the artist’s work and makes taking the next step that much easier.

 

 

The Art World is Moving towards Online Events

Many collectors today prefer looking at art online, hoping to have a delightful experience. Virtual gallery exhibitions are stimulating and give artists a chance to interact with clients in a creative manner. This is not the end of physical shows. It’s a new medium that works closely with live events to provide a complementary and always-accessible channel to exhibit and sell art.

A virtual art expo is an effective way to showcase the talent of the artists and present exquisite art at real scale, viewable by a global audience. Ease of use and navigation on both ends plus the option of customization fits well with the needs of collectors, artists, curators and galleries.  Open the doors of your own 3D virtual exhibition. It’s always open and only a few clicks away!

 

Erica Goldemberg is Marketing Director for ArtPlacer, an art staging app that creates Virtual Exhibitions and previews of artworks in rooms. They have offered a 20% discount on all plans for Artsy Shark readers; use coupon code ARTSYSHARK when signing up.

 

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