Galleriesnow.net has added a new bookshop containing rare collectors’ items to its award-winning virtual exhibitions app ArtPassport. Typically published in limited runs and in close conjunction with the artist, the bookshop contains rare items including gallery publications, monographs and one-off prints usually only available in-person at galleries and not available for direct purchase anywhere else online.
Along with the bookshop, users will now be able to read international art news covering everything from gallery updates, artist signings and interviews, new exhibition spaces, events and initiatives. The new app has enhanced Virtual Reality (VR) for a realistic viewing experience and now there is a detailed history and explanation of each piece of artwork with the option to ‘share’ favourite examples with friends. Browsing has been made easier with a ‘saved’ section allowing you to create a scrapbook of your favourite artworks and exhibitions and now with an added ‘NearMe’ option, users can search galleries local to them, wherever they are in the world.
Technology is dramatically changing the global art scene at a time when coronavirus is forcing art institutions to close. ArtPassport has seen a significant boom in downloads with a percentage increase in new users since March, showing consumer appetite for art and culture is showing no sign of slowing. ArtPassport was developed in 2017 and is the first of its kind to offer 360-degree virtual experiences of real exhibitions. It features over 500 galleries around the world in over 40 cities including 90 per cent of the world’s top 50 galleries.
The technology works by taking 360-degree photo spheres – multiple images taken from a single viewpoint with an extremely wide-angle lens – which are then processed, joined together and viewed through a special interface, either via the app or on the website or in full VR. The ArtPassport team have developed their own technology to create a result that is sympathetic to the gallery environment and artists, allowing them complete control over curation, photography and image rendering/colour balance unlike other solutions on the market. ArtPassport have a dedicated team of specialist VR photographers in London, New York, LA, Paris, Berlin, Hong Kong and Zurich.
“At a time like this, art is an escape and it helps to relieve stress. Tapping into creativity in our day-to-day lives will help us process the instability of life and come together collectively. We have partnered with a selection of galleries to offer our subscribers access to their independent book stores. Typically published in limited runs and in close conjunction with the artist, the books on our site are often not available for direct purchase anywhere else online. We’re excited to open up the treasure troves of each gallery shop, and hope you will enjoy the collection.”
Tristram Fetherstonhaugh, CEO and Founder of GalleriesNow
The art world is completely international, and yet even the most dedicated art lover couldn’t visit all of them. Now anyone, anywhere, can.
ArtPassport is available for the iPhone now: Download here
