The Cultural Elements, originally developed as Case Study Elements (CSEs), are the principal cultural and interpretive components of the Open Space Museum (OSM). They are modular structures that transform artworks, museum objects, research, and cultural narratives into physical and digital visitor experiences.
Built from 25 mm square aluminum space-frame structures, the Cultural Elements provide a robust and adaptable framework for integrating images, objects, digital media, interactive applications, mirrors, lenticular material, printed surfaces, and other forms of interpretation.
Rather than functioning as conventional display cases, the Cultural Elements invite visitors to interact with cultural content through movement, observation, play, reflection, and digital participation. Each element approaches its subject differently, creating an active relationship between the visitor and the material being presented.
The current Cultural Elements were developed in relation to specific artworks, collections, and research topics. The system is intentionally adaptable: existing elements can be modified, or new Cultural Elements can be developed around the collections, themes, stories, and curatorial priorities of a host institution or project partner.
The elements can be presented individually, combined in smaller groups, incorporated into an OSM Transform, or integrated into the complete Open Space Museum installation.
Great Wall Climb
Great Wall Climb combines physical interaction with sculptural heritage. Climbing holds are developed from the forms of historical sculptures, allowing visitors to encounter sculptural shapes through touch and movement as well as through observation.
Great Wall Print
Great Wall Print explores the reconstruction and transformation of historical wall paintings. Printed and reflective surfaces allow different visual states of the imagery to overlap, revealing relationships between surviving material, reconstruction, and interpretation.
DanceSquared
DanceSquared combines lenticular animation, mirrored surfaces, and visitor movement. Animated sequences and reflected images create a changing visual environment in which the visitor becomes part of the work. A ground-based choreography provides an additional participatory layer.
HeadShots
HeadShots combines historical figures, physical interaction, and digital storytelling. Foam busts can be used within a basketball-based interaction, while digital overlays allow historical personalities to become active narrators within the visitor experience.
ScreamBox
ScreamBox explores changes in the appearance of Edvard Munch's The Scream. Rotating mirrored and colored transparent surfaces create changing reflections and color relationships, while a mobile interaction adds an additional layer of illumination and exploration.
PeekBox
PeekBox explores how artworks change through time. Lenticular and layered visual material allows visitors to compare different states of an artwork, from its original appearance through processes of aging, conservation, reconstruction, and possible future transformation.
AutoMixer
AutoMixer explores the structure and restoration of Autochrome photography. Layered images and color mosaics allow visitors to compare original and reconstructed visual states and to understand how early color photographs were produced and interpreted.
Space Art Tunnel
Space Art Tunnel creates an immersive passage exploring digital art, transformation, and the visual language of space. Reflective and optical surfaces create a changing environment in which the visitor physically moves through the artwork rather than viewing it from outside.
Adaptable to Collections, Themes & Locations
The existing Cultural Elements demonstrate different approaches to interaction, interpretation, and spatial presentation. They are not intended as a fixed catalogue.
For future collaborations, their structural and interaction principles can be reused, modified, or completely redesigned in response to new collections, artworks, cultural themes, research questions, and locations.
New Cultural Elements can therefore be developed specifically for a host institution or project, allowing its own artworks, collections, stories, and research to become part of the Open Space Museum.
This allows each Open Space Museum presentation to develop its own cultural identity while retaining a common architectural, social, and participatory framework.
Note on the use of Cultural Elements:
Physical interaction associated with certain Cultural Elements forms part of the artistic and interpretive experience and is not intended as a sporting or exercise activity.