False Mirror

Skills/Tools Used: Javascript, Projection Mapping, Machine Learning, p5.js, MadMapper, ml5.js

False Mirror is an interactive installation that explores how taking photos of artwork in museum settings can change one’s experience of the piece…

Made in collaboration with Noah Edelstein, Nicole Lloyd, Haley Mittelstaedt

Project Overview

Our team created an installation that explores excessive photo-taking in museums to encourage conversation or reflection on these trends and their effects on the consumption of art.

In its ambient mode, this installation displays Rene Magritte’s famous 1928 painting False Mirror, with the sky slowly moving in the background. We chose this painting because of its status as an iconic piece of art and therefore, its ability to build a relationship instantaneously with a viewer. The False Mirror is animate. It is staring at the viewer, acknowledging their presence, while seemingly benign.

When someone approaches the piece and raises their phone to take a photo, the content suddenly changes to one of the six options above, one of which is a live webcam, so that the viewer sees themself attempting to take a photo of, or selfie with the installation. We chose these reactions because they felt surreal and intentionally are not what the photo-taker is trying to capture.