The Van Gogh experience returns to THE LUME Melbourne this Boxing Day with a difference: showcasing a new artist featurette by Swinburne's award-winning digital artist and Senior Lecturer James Berrett featuring music by Professor Dan Golding .
Between Van Gogh's immersive feature, audiences will experience a creative practice PhD project that explores time and space beyond the traditional screen frame.
When given a rare opportunity to create and exhibit work in THE LUME Melbourne, Berrett found the unique format of the gallery a fascinating canvas to work with.
"The experience is designed to challenge notions of time and duration while immersing visitors in the rugged nature of the Victorian High Country and to encourage them to explore the work in their own way," says Berrett.
"Standing Still was built using the Unreal Engine and combines photogrammetry capture techniques with 3D animation and visual effects to create an immersive motion graphics experience."
"To have my work publicly exhibited in the world's largest digital art gallery is very special."
Berrett collaborated with award-winning composer and Swinburne Chair of the Department of Media and Communications, Professor Golding, to create music for the piece.
"I shared field recordings from the location for Dan to use as inspiration or to integrate into the track," Berrett says. "While I had a broad vision for the music and the experience, I wanted to give Dan creative freedom to do what he does best."
Professor Golding says he has always felt that being in bushland is quite an intimate and personal experience, even when you're with a large group.
"My music tried to reflect that sense of the interior and exterior, particularly with the choice of instruments and a smaller ensemble where you can really hear each player."
"James' project is also about movement and suspension, so the music had to move and pause, and get across a sense of stillness and animation."
Berrett is excited for the featurette to play as part of the Van Gogh experience and have it exposed to the millions of visitors who visit THE LUME Melbourne.
"Designing and experiencing my work at this scale and for this context is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and is definitely a career highlight."
