You won’t believe your eyes at the Art Gallery of Ontario…
“ReBlink is a revelation (in every sense). An actual window on other realities, dreams, the imagination, and delight. If you have ever wondered if there are new ways of creating beauty, then you need to see this work.”
Alan Snow, Creator of The Boxtrolls
The Show
ReBlink is an exhibition that blends traditional art with the latest in computer vision technologies to ‘re-mix’ classic paintings in the Art Gallery of Ontario’s permanent collection.
ReBlink offers a modern-day recasting of the past, seamlessly blended onto the original work using augmented reality. The work comments on the changing nature of the human condition.
Watching museum-goers use it, you can tell by their widened eyes and high-pitched shrieks that they really can’t believe their own eyes.
This initial seduction paves the way for deeper engagement, in which more serious issues are explored, the intellect stimulated and a range of emotions triggered. It has always been the aim for ReBlink to transcend the gimmick of technology by acting in the traditional of art intervention.
Visitor Response
The show has been resonating with art connoisseurs and the public alike, and has mass market appeal from kids to the golden generations:
“Past and present elements mingle on the screen, pushing the visitor to reflect on what has changed and what has remained the same… a stimulating and ironic short circuit that communicates the art of the past with the new generations.”
Valentina Tanni, art critic for Art Tribune
In October 2017, due to popular demand, the Art Gallery of Ontario, announced a four-month extension to the ReBlink exhibition:
“[ReBlink] far exceeded my expectations… not only in terms of the project itself but the intuitive response most people have about the potential for more.”
Stephan Jost, Director of the AGO
ReBlink has proven itself to be a powerful tool for education and outreach:
“I took all 200 of our students to the AGO specifically for your exhibit. They loved it. I’ve never seen a group of students more interested in art and more interested in discussing the original art piece as well as the social commentary on your modern twist. It was wonderful. I hope the gallery commissions you to do more as I think it will bring in more and more of our younger generation. “
Stav Bosotas, teacher at J B Tyrrell Senior Public School
ReBlink has attracted leaders in the tech industry due to it’s meaningful use of augmented reality:
“You really MUST experience ReBlink! The exhibit is incredibly thoughtful & well executed. So many hidden details to discover that absolutely delight! A wonderful example of Augmented Reality”
Helen Papagiannis, Author of “Augmented Human“
Apple Head Tim Cook came for a special private tour of the ReBlink show
Media Response
The Painting’s Revenge
The ReBlink exhibition has been extensively covered by over 180 outlets around the globe including Canada, the US, Japan, Russia, Germany, Holland, Italy, France, China and the UK. It has featured widely online, in print and on TV. This was certainly unexpected for for a location-specific art museum experience.
Here is just a small selection:
New ReBlink exhibit at Toronto’s AGO takes augmented reality beyond video games
Financial Post
These Classical Artworks Come To Life To Make Fun Of Your Museum Selfie
Fast Company – Co.Design
This artist wants you to see art in a new way by using augmented reality
Interview on the flagship arts and culture show CBC’s Q
Alex Mayhew is injecting modern whimsy into classic paintings
BBC News Facebook Live
ReBlink on the Discovery Channel
Watch ReBlink tour on the Daily Planet (segment starts at at 30:45)
Augmented reality transports classic art into the 21st century
New Atlas
Trend Hunter Talks to ‘Impossible Things’ About Bringing Art to Life
ReBlink was a highlight of the Trend Hunter ‘Trend Safaris’ at their flagship conference in Toronto last September
Contact us for the complete list of press
ReBlink Pop Up Shows
Yes, via poster style reproductions, ReBlink can draw crowds anywhere. ReBlink Pop Up shows went down a storm here in Toronto at Pinewood Studios, as well as around the world in Mexico City, L.A and Warsaw Poland. Next stop Kingston Jamaica.
Do you a want an innovative thought-provoking digital spectacle to draw and engage crowds? Pease . It is easier and more affordable than you think.
ReBlink Plus
ReBlink Plus is in development, . We can not say too much now but here are some early previews:
Why the Success?
We believe that ReBlink has been so successful because it taps the powers of augmented reality to transform a simple interaction — viewing a painting in a museum — into a visceral, explorative and magical experience. ReBlink doesn’t just extend viewing through exposition or instruction, it ‘intervenes’ – offering a new perspective. Like the remix of a classic song, it gives the audience a new context from which to view the paintings, one which has greater relevance to contemporary culture. The juxtaposition of past and present builds connections that create an impactful commentary. This approach is immediate, direct and play on a deep human desire for exploration and discovery.
Download
Can not get to the Art Gallery of Ontario? Take a sneak peak!
Download the ReBlink app
Click on any of the thumbnail images below
Open the ReBlink app, make sure your sound is turned up and point your device at the image
Move around and explore
The Team
Alex Mayhew would like to thank the amazing team for all their hard work, creativity and support:
Developer and technical artist
Hector Centeno
Lead Production Artist
Saffron Bolduc-Chiong
Production Artist
Emma Burkeitt
3D Art
David Mc.Kenna
Yifat Shaik
Music
Max Mezzowave
Christian Chuquihuara
Creative & Business Consultant
Ian Kelso
Special thanks to: Amit Breuer, Nigel Newton, Conor Holler, Senait Gebremeskel, Hamza Asif, Helen Galligan, Marcelo Luft, Hart Sturgeon-Reed, Egill Vidarsson, Sally Luc, Fergui Pascual, Aaron Bosnjak, Maggie Greyson, Lyra Westecott, Emma Westecott, Mary Tsilka, Andronika Kelso, Marion Kelso, Tarik El-Khateeb, Mudit Ganguly, Corey Dean, Janine White, Orbital Arts, Ryan Miller and Reptoid Games, OCE, OCADU, Greg Singer, Heather Robson, Robert Gould, Hugh Spencer, Alan Gordon, Monica Contreras, Andy Webb and Lou Reed.
