The Art Hour (Het Kunstuur) is a new ground-breaking and interactive gallery concept developed by art collectors and entrepreneurs Hans & Joost Bourlon.
Located in the former Holy Ghost Chapel in the historical heart of Mechelen (Belgium), they make art more appealing to a wider audience and anyone who may not visit conventional galleries. Thirty-two paintings from sixteen 19th century Belgian painters are displayed across three gallery spaces, presented with a relevant story by well-known Flemish personalities.
Creative lighting design and media specialist Painting with Light was invited to manage and design the technical systems and control for lighting, video, audio and humidity control for this intricate and unique project. Concept designer Wouter Verhulst of King Concept wanted to work with a company known for technical and creative ingenuity, lateral thinking and with the resources, skills and flair to make an art gallery come alive in a stimulating theatrical way.
Each painting is introduced, and its story told by the designated personality, who appears as a life-size projected video on the gallery wall right beside the painting.
Luc Peumans, CEO of Painting with Light, commented: “This project represents another milestone in the 20 year history of Painting with Light. In that time we have developed our know-how about how to combine creative and technical services for the ‘entertainment experience’, and for this specific project, our client had some extra challenges – the concept of visitors spending maximum one hour in the museum and focussing their attention on one painting at a time together with timing, lighting, audio and guest flow.”