Leading AV solutions company, Christie Digital, has signed a wide-ranging, long-term partnership agreement with the Barbican Centre in London, Europe’s largest multi-arts and conference venue.
The new deal will provide leading-edge visual platforms for artists, as well as focal points to communicate with the public.
“Christie’s cutting-edge hardware and software will help animate the public spaces of our iconic building and help us to deliver outstanding art in the foyers for free, ” explained Sir Nicholas Kenyon, Managing Director of the Barbican. “Our foyers have already housed innovative light sculptures, digital installations and audio journeys by both emerging and established artists.”
Two such installations being powered by Christie are Numina, by artist Zarah Hussain, and ‘let’s take a walk’ by theatre collective, ‘non zero one’.
According to Christie, it will be supplying the latest laser phosphor projection, LED video walls, as well as Christie® MicroTiles® and Christie Pandoras Box media servers to the Barbican.
The new displays will be located at the venue’s entrances, across the foyers and at key points throughout the building. The deal also gives the company access to meeting rooms and conference facilities to host partners and clients.
“Christie’s mission is to provide the world’s best shared experiences, ” said Simon Smith, Christie’s Vice President of EMEA. “For us, the partnership with the Barbican represents a collaboration that brings our technology together with artists under the global spotlight. It is a wonderful opportunity not only for emerging artists to create new works but also for thousands of visitors to engage with the Barbican and all it offers as a leading arts venue.”
To highlight the new partnership, the Barbican is launching an open call for artists, collectives and designers across all disciplines to create a projected artwork that responds to the phrase ‘What’s going on here, then?’.
“We’re extremely excited to now be launching an open call and look forward to receiving bold, dynamic and imaginative submissions, ” added Kenyon.
