The Mint Museum and Bluefin's Interactive Displays Bring Art to Everyone
The Setting: A City of Art and Growth
Charlotte, one of America’s fastest-growing cities, is poised to welcome over 2.7 million by 2030. This burgeoning metropolis offers a vibrant mix of new businesses, restaurants, and a thriving arts scene. Its diverse population and inclusive culture make it the perfect backdrop for the Mint Museum’s mission: Art is for Everyone. The Mint Museum is North Carolina’s oldest art museum. Founded in 1936 by a visionary group of women, it operates today in two locations; Mint Museum Uptown and Mint Museum Randolph.
In collaboration with the curatorial department, the museum’s artistic design team is committed to achieving their mission by connecting fine art and history with the people of Charlotte. Through incorporating innovative technology, they're transforming the visitor experience, making the art's story an integral part of each individual's journey.
“Bringing in digital elements helps cater to a younger crowd. To help foster education and tactile experience.” – Shelby McVicker
A Modern Encounter: Digital Art and Design
Multimedia Strategy Manager, Hailey Black, and Exhibition Graphic Designer, Shelby McVicker, members of the Mint Museum’s Collections and Exhibitions department, strive to create immersive experiences that seamlessly blended art and technology. In a recent exhibit featuring works by Pablo Picasso, they partnered with, Adon, a renowned Dutch design house, to furnish the space with contemporary furniture.
The key feature of the exhibit was a series of Bluefin Screens mounted in Mega Media Factory frames, positioned adjacent to the sofas. Visitors could sit comfortably and interact with the touchscreen, exploring the journal entries of the legendary artist. Once finished, they simply rotated the screen and continued their journey through the collections.
Take the Quiz!
Following the Picasso exhibit the Mint Museum repurposed the 15.6” screens into stands by Mega Media Factory for their Chairs exhibit. This “history of seating” installation: The Art of Seating: 200 Years of American Design, came complete with a Buzzfeed style personality test: Which Chair Are You? [Take the Quiz!] It was such a hit the team decided to keep the set up for their next exhibits.
“I think that now we are an established team we are looking multiple exhibitions ahead and how we can use technology. We plan to keep the 15.6” On the stands because they have been both durable and versatile.” said McVicker.
The recent exhibition, Southern/Modern, stands as the pinnacle of the museum's accomplishments. This groundbreaking show, a decade in the making, was born from the curator's passionate response to a dismissive art critic. It celebrates the rich artistic heritage of the American South, showcasing the work of numerous talented Southern artists.
Hailey Black and Shelby McVicker, set the exhibit's interactive elements. They incorporated two 32-inch touchscreens to allow visitors to delve deeper into the lives and work of the featured artists, exploring their unique connections to the Southern region.
The Tech: Bluefin plus partner tech solution
To enhance the visitor experience, the Mint Museum's design team incorporated cutting-edge technology. Large, 32-inch Touch Flex-OS BSBI displays were installed on the walls for immersive interactive presentations. Smaller, 15.6-inch Touch Flex-OS BSBI displays, housed in custom stands crafted by Mega Media Factory, were strategically positioned throughout the exhibit.
The display and fixture choices were made based on functionality and durability. Both Black and McVicker intend for these elements to be used in perpetuity throughout future exhibits in the museum.
The Power of Durability
"The Bluefin screens are incredibly durable," says Hailey Black, Multimedia Strategy Manager. "They withstand constant use and touch, giving us the confidence to invest in technology that will last for years to come."
Expert Installation and Support
Jamey Stewart, owner of Mega Media Factory, who expertly installed the screens chose Bluefin and states that "Durability and future-proofing are crucial considerations when selecting hardware." He further emphasizes how much they value the ease of ordering individual screens, eliminating the need for bulk purchases. The Mint Museum team was pleased with their choice and affirmed that the team “was fantastic in answering questions and guiding us in this process.” (McVicker)
A Seamless Support Experience
When a minor issue arose, Stewart and the Bluefin support team promptly addressed the problem. “Jamey and the Bluefin support team were immediate and impeccable when we had an issue. It turned out to be user error and we solved it instantly.” Shared Black. This swift resolution highlighted the exceptional support provided by the partner teams.
Connect: Bluefin Screens Can Make the Difference in Your Project
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