To understand and appreciate interpretive art, it is sometimes necessary to enlist a translator.
For the first time in the Wisconsin Union Directorate Art committee’s history, narration to gallery pieces will now be available at the touch of the send button. Coined “Dial up Art,” the WUD Art Committee treads new ground in the gallery world. As of now, the only other art venue in Madison to offer this service is the Wisconsin Veterans’ Museum.
“Competing galleries have yet to offer audio tours available by cell phone, so we are very excited for the future development of this technology,” committee and permanent collection member Nicole Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez explained that last year, podcasts were available online explaining the various exhibitions.
“We spent a lot of time writing the scripts for these podcasts, and few people seemed to listen to them,” she said.
Instead of listening to the podcasts online or downloading them to an mp3 player, gallery viewers now simply call a number and select from a menu of choices to hear the history of each piece of artwork.
“This is a great way to use new media to enhance the viewing experience. … We’re also thinking of having the artists record their own sound bytes to make it more personal,” Assistant Director Sara Woldt said.
Thanks to the dedication of the art committee members, WUD provided a sizeable grant to make this technology available.
“As a committee, we are trying to evolve along with technology,” Rodriguez said. “We are incorporating new media into the gallery experience to reach viewers on a new level.”
“Even if you’re not inside the art gallery, you can dial this number from anywhere to keep tabs on what’s happening in the galleries,” Woldt said. “It’s a great way for alumni to stay involved and for students to get information about the exhibits.”
In preparation for the early winter gallery, art committee members are racing to write and record the oral narration to go along with the exhibit.
“Dial up Art” may be reached by dialing 608-669-9083 and will be selectively available this Friday, Dec. 5 for the early winter gallery opening. Fliers listing the telephone number for “Dial up Art” will be available in the gallery brochures. The exhibit runs from Dec. 5 to Jan. 20, so don’t forget to turn to “Dial up Art” if you need to tune out your finals.
