How Does Immersive Design Bridge the Gap Between Viewer and Artist?
Light defines Venice. The city does not merely exist; it shimmers, reflects, and dissolves into the atmosphere. Capturing this ephemeral quality remains the defining challenge for any curator attempting to showcase Claude Monet’s Venetian period. The Brooklyn Museum recently launched Monet and Venice, New York’s largest Monet exhibition in over twenty-five years. However, paintings alone cannot fully convey the sensory overload Monet experienced in 1908. To solve this, Hyperquake’s experiences team stepped in. They transformed the museum’s central rotunda into a visceral prelude. Consequently, this intervention allows visitors to feel the city before they see the canvas.
This exhibition, running through February 1, 2026, features 100 works from Monet and contemporaries like Sargent and Renoir. Yet, the highlight remains the spatial storytelling crafted by Hyperquake’s experiences team. They leveraged technology to recreate Monet’s concept of the “enveloppe”—the unified impression of light and atmosphere. Furthermore, this collaboration proves that modern experiential design serves as a critical bridge between historical art and contemporary audiences.
The Challenge of Translating Monet’s Vision
Monet avoided painting people in Venice. Instead, he focused entirely on the interplay of sun, water, and stone. He famously stated that Venice was “too beautiful to be painted.” Therefore, presenting his work requires more than white walls and spotlights. You must understand the artist’s obsession with repetition and shifting time. Hyperquake faced a distinct challenge. They needed to immerse visitors in the Venetian atmosphere without overshadowing the actual masterpieces.
The team focused on the rotunda, a soaring architectural space. Here, they built a “multisensory prelude.” This zone acts as a palate cleanser for the senses. It prepares the mind for the delicate brushstrokes awaiting in the galleries. Lisa Small, Senior Curator of European Art, noted the necessity of this transportive moment. She wanted visitors to feel the vistas and reflections that enchanted Monet. Thus, the design needed to be both grand and meditative.
Orchestrating Light and Space
How do you build a city inside a museum? Hyperquake’s experiences team started from the ground up. They collaborated with Venice-based videographer Joan Porcel Studio. Together, they curated a five-minute panoramic video journey. This visual narrative transports viewers from a misty sunrise to a vibrant sunset.
Technically, the execution is precise. The team utilized projection mapping across four freestanding walls, each standing over 10 feet tall. Additionally, two massive 24-foot rotunda projections anchor the visual narrative. But the visual element is only one layer. The team also incorporated caustic lighting. This specific lighting animates the dome above. Simultaneously, rippling water patterns cascade across the floor. Consequently, the architecture of the Brooklyn Museum dissolves, replaced by the fluid architecture of Venice.
A Symphony for the Senses
Visuals alone cannot replicate the feeling of standing by a canal. Hyperquake understood that immersion requires audio and olfactory inputs. They collaborated with the Museum’s former composer-in-residence, Niles Luther. Luther composed a custom soundtrack layered with actual field recordings from Venice. This audio complements the exhibition’s original symphony. It grounds the visuals in reality.
Moreover, the team added a final, invisible stroke. Joya Studio created a custom atmospheric fragrance for the space. This scent infuses the rotunda, triggering memory and emotion. All these elements combine seamlessly. Hyperquake ensured that the technology remains invisible. You do not see projectors; you see light. You do not hear speakers; you hear the city.
Why Context Matters in Modern Museums
Museums often struggle to capture the attention of digital-native audiences. Static displays can feel distant. Hyperquake’s experiences team demonstrates how spatial design solves this engagement gap. Mary Franck, Experiential Creative Director at Hyperquake, emphasized their goal. They wanted visitors to see what Monet saw. They aimed to make the exhibit visceral and accessible.
By integrating physical design with digital storytelling, they contextualize the art. Visitors do not just walk into a room of paintings. They arrive attuned to the artist’s innovations. They understand the “enveloppe” because they have just stood inside it. This approach respects the intelligence of the viewer. It invites them to participate in the narrative rather than passively observe it.
The Strategic Value of Experiential Design
Hyperquake creates innovative environments that drive results. This project highlights their ability to blend story, spatial design, and interactive technology. Hyperquake’s experiences team brings over 20 years of experience to the table. Their work covers everything from strategic innovation to scaling organizations. Yet, this project reveals a specific talent for cultural translation.
They managed the entire process, from design and integration to AV installation. This comprehensive oversight ensures a seamless integration of physical and digital elements. Consequently, the space feels cohesive. It does not feel like a tech demo. It feels like art. This distinction matters significantly in the design world.
Reimagining the Museum Visit
We must ask ourselves what we want from a museum visit in 2025. Do we want facts, or do we want feelings? Hyperquake’s experiences team suggests we can have both. By creating a multisensory entry experience, they deepen visitor understanding. Guests leave with more than just images of water lilies or canals. They leave with a sensory memory of the light.
This project sets a new standard for museum exhibitions. It proves that technology, when applied with restraint and artistry, elevates the subject matter. Hyperquake’s experiences team successfully brought the floating city to Brooklyn. In doing so, they gave Monet’s “enveloppe” a physical form.
The exhibition is open now at the Brooklyn Museum. If you value design that moves people, you should experience this firsthand. It offers a rare glimpse into how the future of art curation might look. It bridges the past and present through the universal language of light.
Any footage © Hyperquake. Don’t hesitate to browse WE AND THE COLOR’s Art section for more.
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