d’strict, a digital media content and technology design company, is celebrating the launch of ARTE MUSEUM LAS VEGAS, the first location in North America for the firm’s internationally acclaimed immersive digital art venue.
The $25 million, two-storey, 30,000 square-foot space was opened with a VIP event which welcomed 300 guests.
Reimagining nature & art
ARTE MUSEUM LAS VEGAS is a one-of-a-kind immersive exhibition that reimagines diverse facets of nature and art as new media artworks. Visitors enter works of incredible beauty and powerful natural elements in each of the space’s zones.
Digital technology blurs the boundaries between reality, imagination, and hyper-reality, and places audiences at the base of towering waterfalls, and on beaches with views of the aurora borealis. Guests are surrounded by flowering camellias, undulating waves, beautiful woodland vistas, infinite serene starfields, and more as they explore the galleries.
The expansive GARDEN exhibit is one of ARTE MUSEUM LAS VEGAS’ most spectacular features. It includes the Light of Las Vegas zone, which is a newly created installation for the Las Vegas attraction. This work is inspired by the landmarks and vibrant atmosphere of the world’s nightlife capital, as well as the natural beauty of Nevada’s breathtaking canyons.
The Light of Masterpieces zone is another highlight of the GARDEN display. This installation transports viewers to the serene works of historically significant Western artists such as Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, Edgar Degas, Gustav Klimt, and others.
ARTE MUSEUM X PAINTINGS OF JOSEON is a further new work for ARTE MUSEUM LAS VEGAS. This exhibit shows works of art from the Joseon Dynasty, which ruled Korea for five centuries from 1392 to 1897 and led to a cultural renaissance.
This unique exhibition celebrates the cultural pinnacle of Korean painting, with “Sansuhwa” (Landscape Paintings), “Pungsokhwa” (Genre Paintings), “Gungjungwha” (Court Paintings), and the celebrated 14th-century work “Mongyu Dowondo.”
A soundtrack which blends traditional Joseon-era compositions with rhythms from the present day enhances the audio experience.
The resulting installation is the first immersive exhibition to feature traditional Korean art in the US, and presents a seamless combination of ARTE MUSEUM’s contemporary new media techniques with works from the masters of Korean art.
Sean Lee, CEO of d’strict, says: “Our aim is to allow the audience to experience the various senses that can be felt in nature rather than simply viewing colorful video works. We approach this by utilizing various media technologies, such as projection mapping, multi-image control and sensor-based interaction, to make the entire space into one cohesive piece of art.
“The result is an oasis of tranquillity amid the hustle and bustle of the Las Vegas Strip, which serves as the perfect home for ARTE MUSEUM’s first exhibition in the Western Hemisphere.”
Brett Torino, owner of Torino Companies and 63, comments: “It’s our tremendous pleasure to welcome ARTE MUSEUM to Las Vegas. ARTE MUSEUM will be a perfect complement to the variety of partners and tenant offerings at 63. With ARTE MUSEUM’s artistic innovation, stunning technology and the prominent location on the Las Vegas Strip, it’s sure to be a must-visit experiential attraction centrally located on Las Vegas Boulevard and Harmon Ave.”
Holistic immersive experience
ARTE MUSEUM debuted in 2020 and has since extended to major cities throughout the world. It has received numerous international honours, including the iF Design Award.
d’strict has five museums throughout Asia so far, with the Las Vegas location being its first in the Western Hemisphere. More than 6 million people have visited ARTE MUSEUM locations to see the spectacular works, and the company’s objective is to open around 20 museums globally by the end of 2026.
ARTE MUSEUM has earned widespread critical acclaim, with Wallpaper calling it “a feast for the senses” and Time Out naming it one of Hong Kong’s best attractions.
Additional sensory outputs offer more than purely visual immersion and distinguish ARTE MUSEUM from comparable immersive exhibitions. The LIVE SKETCHBOOK exhibit offers a simulated tactile experience allowing visitors to scan and sketch their own animal drawings. These sketches are brought to life on the walls, surrounded by the sights and sounds of a tranquil jungle.
Sound effects from nature, such crashing waves, waterfalls, and blowing winds, are also used to enhance each zone.
The gallery’s ARTE TEA BAR serves sweet tea-based mocktails that reflect the essence of each zone, enabling visitors to experience the delicious flavour paired with upbeat, harmonic music and visuals.
The greatest distinguishing feature of ARTE MUSEUM is its complex and holistic viewing experience. Each zone features a distinctive and complimentary aroma which increases immersion and offers a unique visitor experience. Their development was led by Marianne Nawrocki Sabatier, a respected senior professor at the prestigious Grasse Institute of Perfumery, the leading perfumery school located in Grasse, France.
The soundscape of ARTE MUSEUM ranges from meticulously accurate and authentic nature sounds to powerful background music for the GARDEN exhibit. It was created by Music Director Young-gyu Jang, who carefully crafted the compositions to maximise the impact of each artwork.
Jang is an internationally acclaimed composer who has built a reputation for his award-winning work on the scores of over 50 films and television shows. His portfolio includes the critically acclaimed “Train to Busan” (2016) and “The Wailing” (2016). He is also the bassist and producer for Leenalchi, a Korean Music Award-winning band.
Earlier this month, d’strict collaborated with Art Basel Miami Beach and was featured in the Collectors Lounge at the prestigious art show where it exhibited its acclaimed new media installation works.
All images kind courtesy of ARTE MUSEUM
