X-Ray of the Virgin of Guadalupe

Way back in September, Charlie initially wrote about TAP, giving our readers an early look at the software.  The application is designed to be extremely flexible, meaning that we will be reusing TAP for future exhibitions both inside the museum and conceivably outside.    Although the IMA attempted a multimedia guide back in 2005 for the American galleries (does anyone remember this?) – this will be the first time we’ve attempted this type of visitor-focused experience for an exhibition. And to think, the entire software development and authoring, content production and implementation was done entirely in-house (check out the video below for a closer look at TAP).

When it comes to new media production, a lot of footage and content goes unused in the final product.  In the case of TAP – we shot and recorded hours and hours of media for the tour.  Once it’s all edited and fine tuned, it boils down to about a 90 minute experience.  What happens to the hours of unused material? This brings me to Easter Eggs.  We wanted to provide some surprises in this tour and make use of content we ordinarily wouldn’t use.  In some ways, Easter Eggs are similar to a cameo by Alfred Hitchcock.  They are little surprises or experiences that were created to augment the real or planned experience.  In the technology sense, they are intentional, additional pieces of content that are hidden, hard to find – but the in the end, result in a funny or unexpected discovery.  What will you find?

The hidden location!

You won’t find Alfred Hitchcock on TAP – especially since he once said “Always make the audience suffer as much as possible” - but you will be able to locate secret 3-digit codes that will lead to you new stories.  How do you find these Easter Eggs?  Well, you can surf around HERE or come to exhibition and investigate.  You might find something – are you up for the challenge?

Those who know me at all know that I am a Mac sympathizer and will take every opportunity to shamelessly plug Apple products. (And use as many as I can get my hands on.) So it is not surprising that I would have iTunes U at the top of my favorites list. But there is another reason to love iTunes right now….IMA is on it! We launched an iTunes U page on January 28^th allowing anyone with an iPod (or iPhone) to download free IMA videos and audio tours. In addition to finding our digital stuff on YouTube and imamuseum.org, now you can also find it where you already play, in the iTunes store. Search for “Indianapolis Museum of Art” and take your pick of free art videos! (Did you know it is good karma to share this newfound knowledge with friends? Who wouldn’t want to score some free downloads?) BTW, it is definitely bad karma to think to yourself, “Nobody wants free art videos.”

Reading my last blog post will expose my relatively new love of Facebook. The only Web 2.0 thing I love more than Facebook is the super fantastic app ArtShare. Developed by the talented crew at the Brooklyn Museum, it is an easy-to-use tool that allows you to share art you dig with anyone who visits your Facebook page. Just install the app, select art you like and watch it cycle through a loop as you poke strangers, dish out your daily zombie bites and digitally scribble inside jokes onto friends’ walls.

To make it even more awesome, I spent a morning last week uploading a sampling of IMA-owned works of art so that soon all of my peeps (and hopefully people I don’t know) will start choosing some of our stuff. I will also mention that any artist can upload work to share with friends too. (The only thing I like to promote more than Apple stuff is the talent of underappreciated artists.) There are many practical reasons why artists and museums should love ArtShare. I am, of course, referring to things like marketing, networking, mission statements, etc. But, none of these describe the reason I love it. I simply love art and ArtShare lets me indulge that interest and share it with others.

So, I hope you will investigate these on-line opportunities and find that you like them too. Otherwise there would have been little point to your reading this humble post.