S8

S8 by Geert Mul is an interactive art installation at the Nederlands Fotomuseum that engages visitors in a unique way with the act of viewing photography. The installation features an octagonal setup with eight stations arranged around a central column. Four are seated stations with screens that can be rotated in front of the viewer’s face, while the other four are standing stations equipped with touchscreens. Each station includes a set of headphones.

What makes this installation so special is that it isn’t a traditional exhibition where you simply look at images. As a visitor, you select images yourself using a joystick or touchscreen, which are then paired with audio stories that play simultaneously. This creates a personal, layered experience in which image and sound merge to tell a new story. The installation responds to your choices, ensuring that every visitor has a unique experience.

The stories you hear connect to the museum’s exhibitions but often offer a different perspective or a deeper layer of meaning. Moreover, the work evolves along with the museum, as new images and stories are continuously added. In this way, S8 transforms passive viewers into active participants in the story of photography — a kind of “living machine” for stories and images.

Mothership developed the concept, managed the participation process and project coordination, and carried out the execution.