Microworld Kristiansand
A digital ecosystem that encourages experimentation and collaborative play.
Microworld Kristiansand provides lots of accessible fun for the whole family. It is an immersive art space filled with digital creatures. The creatures have life cycles and survival techniques, and respond to visitors using sensors. You can interact with the creatures or design your own and release them into the Microworld.
Enjoy a memorable day at the art museum by participating in this playful, digital art space.
300.000 visitors all over the world have experienced Microworld so far. For the first time in Norway, Sørlandets Kunstmuseum proudly presents Microworld Kristiansand.
Microworld Kristiansand is part of an ongoing series of exhibitions by art group Genetic Moo.
The exhibition at Sørlandets Kunstmuseum is produced in cooperation with Lumen Art Projects.
What can visitors do?
Some people enjoy being physical – jumping around and interacting; some enjoy designing new creatures with touchscreens and creative logic; and others enjoy sitting back and watching the ongoing ebb and flow.
WHAT DO VISITORS SAY?
“Fantastic accessible art for my usually distracted kids … it’s the longest they’ve ever been engaged in a gallery!”
— Lizzie, adult Microworld Brecon 2018
“We visited as three generations of our family and enjoyed every minute, especially our young Autistic daughter who was encouraged to explore cause and effect.”
— The Brown Family, Microworld Margate 2013
“Creating art as a family. Not just the kids playing with technology in isolation like they do at home”
— Sally & Jon, Microworld Leicester 2016
“The gallery show had us captivated. I took many pictures of my 81 year old husband interacting and playing”
— Pamela at Microworld Brecon 2018
“We left all inhibitions at the door, jumping and dancing, we got caught up in it all.”
— Teresa & kids, Microworld Eureka! 2018
“I enjoyed creating images with objects and my body. It’s Great!”
— Fin, 7 yrs, Microworld Cardiff 3 2016
What is Microworld about?
Beyond the thrill of physically engaging with digital art, Microworld embraces many different themes both scientific and artistic; from Imagined Future Evolutions to Biophilia.
Microworlds are interactive exhibitions. There are webcams and Kinects in the hall which sense the movements, colours and sounds of the audience to trigger responses in the creatures. With QR codes, you can use your smartphones or tablets to interact even more. Several of the pieces make their own noises and there are ambient soundscapes designed by Jullia Schauerman.
Please take as many photos and videos as you like #MicroworldKristiansand
Creativity
Using intuitive interactions gives the audience incredible agency to reshape the entire exhibition. Dwell time stretches out as users learn how to support their own creatures by manipulating the digital environment.
Ecosystems
Each creature is both sensing its environment and changing its environment. The artworks, the equipment, the space and the audience are part of this living system, where everything is interconnected.
Wonderment
Microworlds encourage the contemplation of interlocking processes. They can be stimulating and relaxing. Digital nature.
Artificial Life
A branch of Computer Science related to Artificial Intelligence (AI) which uses software to simulate and understand biological systems – not life as it is but “life as it could be”.
Future Evolutions
The seed for Microworld was a New Scientist article on how the starfish abandoned its brain in evolutionary history. A decentralised network of sensors now controlled its body – feeling not thinking.
Aliens
Microworlds are filled with fantastic creatures. They have their own personality and unique behaviours and encourage experimental play. Microworlds are inspired by Science Fiction and Science fact.
About the artists - Genetic Moo
Genetic Moo is a prize-winning digital art duo with a special interest in interactive installations. Based in Margate, UK Nicola Schauerman comes from the field of film and editing, while Tim Pickup’s background includes programming and creative coding.
Genetic Moo is part of the Lumen Art Projects network.