Art and innovation united in ARTECHOUSE’s journey with Barco projection

In 2024, ARTECHOUSE opened its latest immersive gallery in Houston, marking a new chapter in its mission to revolutionize the way people experience art. The Houston location showcases ARTECHOUSE’s commitment to blending art and technology in ways that captivate and inspire. Central to this new gallery's success is the cutting-edge projection technology provided by Barco, ensuring that every exhibit is as immersive and breathtaking as intended.

Context

By merging technology and creativity, ARTECHOUSE has established itself as a leader in digital and experiential art, offering immersive experiences that captivate audiences across the United States. Their journey began in 2015 when it launched its first permanent gallery in Washington, D.C. Since then the organization has produced over 30 multi-sensory exhibits and opened three additional permanent locations - in Miami, New York City and the most recent one in Houston. As they expanded, the need for reliable and high-quality projection technology became increasingly apparent. 

Challenge

ARTECHOUSE’s mission is to create spaces where art and technology intersect, allowing visitors to engage with art in a completely new way. To achieve this, the exhibits rely heavily on high-quality visuals that are bright, sharp, and immersive. The organization’s galleries feature massive projection areas, with the largest spanning 50 feet by 70 feet with a 50-foot ceiling. Given the scale and ambition of these exhibits, finding the right projection technology was paramount.

When it was time to open the New York City gallery in 2019, the team encountered challenges with their existing projection equipment. The projectors struggled to meet the demands of ARTECHOUSE’s rigorous operational schedule and the need for consistently high image quality. This prompted ARTECHOUSE to explore alternative solutions, leading them to partner with Barco for their new locations and later transitioning their Washington, D.C. gallery to Barco technology as well.

Solution

As ARTECHOUSE prepared to launch its newest location in Houston in 2024, the organization sought to build on its previous successes while addressing the unique challenges of this new space. Having already experienced the reliability and superior performance of Barco projectors in its New York and Washington, D.C. locations, ARTECHOUSE decided to exclusively use Barco’s projection technology for the Houston gallery.

For this new venue, ARTECHOUSE chose thirty-three UDM-4K22 projectors and one F80-4K12 projector. These projectors were selected for their exceptional light output, 4K UHD resolution, and consistent color performance—qualities that are crucial for creating the immersive, multi-sensory experiences ARTECHOUSE is known for. The superior light output and resolution of the projectors have allowed ARTECHOUSE to create dynamic and captivating exhibits, making full use of the gallery’s expansive space. The flexibility of the Barco projectors has also enabled ARTECHOUSE to seamlessly adapt to different exhibits, ensuring that each installation is presented exactly as the artists envisioned.

And Barco’s projectors offered more than just high-quality visuals. The durable laser technology of Barco’s projectors ensured that ARTECHOUSE could maintain the highest standards of visual fidelity without the frequent maintenance or downtime associated with other projection systems. They provided the reliability necessary for the gallery’s demanding operational schedule running continuously for ten hours a day, every day, without compromising on image quality. This has allowed ARTECHOUSE to focus more on curating groundbreaking exhibits and less on managing technical issues.

Results

By partnering with Barco, ARTECHOUSE was able to achieve its goal of creating unique immersive art experiences. Visitors to the Houston location are now able to engage with digital art in a way that is both deeply immersive and visually striking, thanks to the unparalleled image quality and consistency provided by Barco’s technology.

Ultimately, the collaboration with Barco has enabled ARTECHOUSE to continue pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in experiential art, offering visitors an unforgettable journey into the world of immersive art and ensuring that each gallery remains a premier destination for art lovers and technology enthusiasts alike.