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TECHNOLOGY VISUALISING IMPACT OF ART ON HUMAN BRAINWAVES COMING TO SURREY ON UK-WIDE TOUR
For the first time, visitors to a Surrey art gallery will have the opportunity to see the impact art has on their brainwaves. On 14 April, the new technology - which shows brainwaves in real time and in 3-D – will be available to visitors at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village thanks to Art Fund, the national charity for art, as part of a UK-wide tour.
Between 10.30am and 5pm on Sunday 14 April, visitors to Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village will be able to test the technology out for themselves as part of their visit to the Historic Galleries.
The project highlights how people’s brains are stimulated when they experience art in museums and galleries, and aims to help answer the question of the fundamental value of art and the impact it has on us. Visitors of all ages are invited to take part by viewing art or artefacts while wearing a headset that is connected to an electroencephalogram (EEG) monitor. The outputs of their brainwaves as they react to the art are then visualised on-screen in 3D and real-time.
By illustrating the impact of art on our brains and emotions, Art Fund hopes to encourage visiting museums and galleries with a National Art Pass, which allows people to enjoy free entry to hundreds of museums, galleries and historic houses across the UK as well as 50% off major exhibitions and discounts in museum shops and cafes.
After visiting Surrey, the brainwaves experience will also be visiting museums and galleries in Wakefield, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Warwickshire throughout the spring and summer.
Art Fund Director, Jenny Waldman, said: “This technology shows how art can improve our wellbeing and emotions. Audiences love seeing the visualisation of their brainwaves when they look at different paintings and objects in museums, so we are thrilled to take this technology on tour. We hope that by bringing the experience to Surrey, we can inspire more people to visit the amazing museums and galleries we have on our doorsteps, such as Watts Gallery.”
Alistair Burtenshaw, Brice Director & Chief Executive, Watts Gallery Trust, said: “It is a real pleasure to be able to host this exciting technology here at Watts Gallery in our Historic Galleries as we mark our 120th year. Like our founders, the artists GF and Mary Watts, we wholeheartedly believe that experiencing art can contribute to wellbeing, and it will be fascinating to see the impact this has on our brain.”
“We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to the museum to test out this exciting technology, and we are delighted to be working with Art Fund to bring this to the South East.”
For more information about the brainwaves tour, visit: http://www.artfund.org/brainwaves
For more information about National Art Pass, visit: http://www.artfund.org/national-art-pass
Follow on social #artbrainwaves #nationalartpass
Media pack including press images of Watts Gallery and campaign video https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/19YoeswQxq0FDwDSeitBzsbiKxlJxdh5s
Brainwaves press images: copyright free - image credit: Art Fund / Hydar Dewachi
Watts Gallery press images: please use provided credit
For media enquiries, please contact:
Tamsin Williams – tamsin@wigwampr.com - +44 (0)7939 651252
The project is accompanied by a campaign film starring model and activist Adwoa Aboah which can be viewed https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PPQzy93dzUK2P08UJuMvixnae5UdpVzi
With thanks to the film locations South London Gallery, Science Museum, The Garden Museum and Young V&A
Full list of tour dates:
The Holburne Museum, Bath on 4-5 April
Watts Gallery - Artists' Village, Guildford on 14 April
The Hepworth Wakefield on 31 May-1 June
Chapter, Cardiff on 21-22 June
National Galleries Scotland: National, Edinburgh on 6-7 July
Compton Verney, Warwickshire on 19-20 July
Art Fund is the national charity for art, helping museums and people to share in great art and culture for 120 years. Art Fund raises millions of pounds every year to help the UK’s museums, galleries and historic houses. The charity funds art, enabling the UK’s museums to buy and share exciting works, connect with their communities, and inspire the next generation. It builds audiences, with its National Art Pass opening doors to great culture. And it amplifies the museum sector through the world’s largest museum prize, Museum of the Year, and creative events that bring the UK’s museums together. Art Fund is people-powered by 135,000 members who buy a National Art Pass, and the donors, trusts and foundations who support the charity.
The National Art Pass provides free or discounted entry to over 850 museums, galleries and historic places, 50% off major exhibitions, and Art Quarterly magazine.
http://www.artfund.org
Watts Gallery Trust is an independent charity established in 1904 to enable future generations to connect with the art and ideas of George Frederic Watts, one of the leading artists of the nineteenth century.
https://www.wattsgallery.org.uk/