‘An intergalactic playground’: Seismique experiential art museum
An innovative, tech-driven art experience focusing on science and space and presented as an ‘intergalactic playground’, Seismique is the brainchild of Steve Kopelman, COO of Escape the Room, the largest escape room company in the US.
“Just under 10 years ago, I tried to do a haunted house that would track people through it using RFID to give a personalised experience. So, when you went into a room, we would pull pictures from your Facebook account. You gave us permission, of course – and that room in that haunted house would be your family and friends.”
“Seismique will be 40 different areas, which is significantly more than TeamLab. Our space is smaller, but we still have almost an acre of indoor space for installations.
“While we won’t have as much of the projection mapping that they utilise, we will be using interactive projection mapping, sculpture, paintings. Everything has to have some kind of immersive, interactive part to it. It must also have content.”
Kopelman wants Seismique to be a positive force in the community and will be incorporating a strong science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) programme. He plans to offer educational workshops for students from local schools and featuring private event spaces.
“We’ll have artists throughout the US,” says Kopelman. “And we’ve reserved at least a quarter of the spaces for Texans and people from our community.
“We have a really strong technology team. It’s a company that I’ve worked with since we started the escape room: Smooth Technology.”
Smooth Technology, a Brooklyn-based team of artist engineers, has developed visual experiences including the wireless LED costumes for Taylor Swift’s ‘1989’ World Tour. It numbers Lady Gaga, Nicki Minaj, Google and MoMA among its clients:
“When I grew up, the goal was to get a Rolex, or whatever the current status symbol happened to be. Now, it’s the experience, whether it’s watching the sunrise at Machu Picchu, or experiencing an immersive artwork.”
“I think we’re going to tie in well with the experience economy. Especially if we let the artists be artists and do their thing, and give what they feel.
“Additionally, we are constantly analyzing our throughput to best ensure social distancing for the future. ... We are still targeting a 4th quarter 2020 opening and look forward to presenting an experience that is both safe and phenomenal."
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