App adds depth to DAI exhibits
Mobile devices create interactive experience.
The Dayton Art Institute is taking advantage of mobile technology to give visitors additional insights into great works of art.
“What is a Masterpiece?” is a new program, funded by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services. The application includes polls and questions so visitors can actively share their opinions with museum employees and other visitors about what a particular piece of artwork means to them.
“The overarching goal of the project is to effectively serve our public by enhancing the Dayton Art Institute’s presentation of its collection through 21st century technology, and to increase visitor’s depth of participation with the museum collection,” said Diane Stemper, DAI grants and education initiatives coordinator. “It will also engage their ability to think critically about an artwork.”
The selected works of art can be found in the DAI’s permanent collections throughout the museum. Those pieces are designated with blue “What is a Masterpiece?” labels. Guests may either use their own device with the museum’s free wifi, or check out an Ipad from the Visitor’s Services desk.
To learn more about a work, just log on to the wifi or tap the Ipad’s icon, and point the device’s camera at the Quick Response code. Another way is to browse artworks by department: American Art, European Art, African Art, or Pre-Columbian Art, just to name a few.
In American Art, visitors can learn about Helen Frankenthaler’s soakstain technique for “Sea Change.” The abstract expressionist artist would place her canvas on the floor and literally soak the fibers with thin-downed paints. In the Pre-Columbian department, guests learn that the Moche culture in ancient Peru celebrated physical imperfections in their ceramics.
The program will allow visitors to independently evaluate the aesthetic and emotional value of a piece after receiving more information about the work itself.
To find out more about this program, visit www .daytonartinstitute.org/ what-is-a-masterpiece.
“One important aspect is that the program is designed to encourage people to look more carefully at the art in the museum, and is not meant to be a replacement for seeing the actual artwork itself,” Stemper said.
Noon to 5 p.m. at Dayton Art Instit∂te, 456 Belmonte Park N, Dayton. M∂se∂m Members: Free; Ad∂lts: $12; Seniors (60+), St∂dents (18+ w/ID), Active Military & Gro∂ps (10 or more): $9; Yo∂th (ages 7-17): $6; Children (6 &. 937-223-4278. www.daytonarti nstit∂te.org/stilledlife
3 p.m. at Dayton Theatre G∂ild, 430 Wayne Ave., Dayton. $19 ad∂lts, $16 seniors and $11 st∂dents. 937-278-5993. www.daytontheatreg∂ild.org
8 p.m. at Dayton Vis∂al Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St., Dayton. 937-2243822. www.daytonvis∂alarts.org/ content/coming-events-0