Turning Heads

Tinker imagineers was asked to add an experiential layer to the temporary exhibition "Turning Heads" (Oct. 2023 – Jan. 2024). The exhibition highlighted the fascination of old masters in the 16th and 17th centuries with the human face. Visitors were to discover how artists of that time extensively experimented with expressions, lighting, and accessories.

Tinker enthusiastically accepted the assignment and created experiential spaces before and after each art space where visitors actively engaged. The focus was on learning to look, explore, and sketch oneself. In an approachable manner, for an audience ranging from young to old from all walks of life.

Through five themes, it became clear how the fascination for the human head developed into a distinct genre: tronies or head studies. Tinker developed hands-on installations where visitors actively participated. They playfully examined their own head and peeked at others'. This not only fostered interaction within the group but also between different people who had not seen each other before. In the final installation, visitors created a tronie themselves with the help of AI.

It was the first major temporary exhibition in the renovated Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp. Based on the glowing media reviews and visitor ratings, it seems clear that we succeeded in creating something enjoyable for everyone.

Client: Royal Museum Of Fine Arts Antwerp (Kmska)

Year: 2023

Exhibition design experience spaces: Tinker imagineers

Exhibition design art spaces: MoKa Design Studio

Set construction: Planemos

AI interactive: YIPP

AV hardware: 50Lux

Light design: Chris Pype

Production wall prints: Art Vision