Horizons

In the interactive installation Horizons, Geert Mul connects the classical museum concept of an art collection with the contemporary idea of a database. Commissioned by Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Mul selected a large number of artworks from the museum’s collection in which a horizon is visible. These works — primarily paintings — were digitized and stored in a database.

Using specially developed software, the horizons in the paintings were aligned to the same level and then projected onto a large wall. What makes this installation unique is its interaction with the visitor: movements within the space activate the projection. As the viewer moves, the image splits into upper and lower halves that independently recombine into ever-changing landscapes. In this way, an endless sequence of new “horizons” emerges, in which the viewer’s body establishes a direct relationship with the image.

The installation was presented as Intervention #4 within the Collection One series of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. The software was developed by Carlo Prelz, and the audio mastering was done by Gideon Kiers. Mothership was responsible for the project management.