LIMBO
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
Category
Project Description
LIMBO was the first architecture virtual exhibition on Instagram.
From March 18 to April 18, 2021, twenty architecture projects,that were not build and fell into oblivion, were selected to be part of a new exhibition format on Instagram. Using IG filters as a tool, this exhibition generated new architectural virtual realities and spatial experiences accesible to everybody.
LIMBO was an exercise of visibility for all these projects made by architects that, for some reason, were never built.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
HOW MANY PROJECTS OF THIS OPEN CALL WILL FALL INTO OBLIVION?
LIMBO was the project selected to be part of the First Residence for the development of an artistic project in the social networks of the Matadero Madrid, being exhibited virtually from March 18 to April 18, 2021.
The 21st century is specially defined by the consumption increase, accelerated production and the massive training of people. The world of design and creativity are facing these frenetic rhythms, leaving an unsustainable system and a long trail of ideas that will never see the light.
LIMBO reflects on all those architecture projects that were archived and fell into oblivion, generating an exhibition platform to explore Instagram and its filters as a tool to generate new architectural realities and virtual spatial experiences on an international scale.
So, LIMBO launched an international open call for creators of architectural spaces built in three-dimensional formats. Once the Open call was closed, an expert jury selected twenty projects. All these shortlisted projects were transform into augmented reality Instagram filters. These filters was part of a virtual exhibition in the social media, in Matadero Madrid. Instagram was transform into a place where these forgotten projects lived, opened and accesible to everybody with a smartphone.
LIMBO is an artistic, collaborative, and sensitive project, but above all an idea adapted to current tools, we cannot progress if we do not apply our own discoveries to our old methods. Opening the window of virtuality is not a rejection of the interpersonal relationship, it is another new tool of experience that connect people internationally with art and culture, and in this case, with lost architectures.
Key objectives for sustainability
HOW MUCH WASTE DO ALL THE TEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS GENERATE?
LIMBO propose a new solution to the traditional culture exhibition formats. Temporary exhibitions leave behind a large amount of waste when the event is over. In addition, the crisis generated in 2020 has revealed the critical situation that places of culture are living, such as museums, cinemas or exhibition spaces. It is necessary to transform and adapt the exhibition formats to the current needs of the people.
LIMBO proposes a new exhibition format that uses social networks to exhibit architecture, art and culture. This new format allow people from all over the world to be in touch with the culture, without the need to travel.
A new virtual exhibition format worldwide that does not generate any waste.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
WHY IS THE VISITOR JUST A PASSIVE VIEWER?
This project was born, in part, as a renewal of traditional formats where art, culture and architecture exhibitions are spaces where visitors do not have the opportunity to participate. In most exhibitions, visitors are just passive viewers.
LIMBO transformed small worlds into Instagram filters, making this projects visitable and being able to interact with them. These filters were conceived as virtual spaces where, along with an individual and unique experience between the viewer and the work, a new exhibition format was made possible for everyone, or at least for everyone who could access a smartphone, which undoubtedly represents a large percentage of today's society.
Key objectives for inclusion
COULD YOU IMAGINE AN EXHIBITION ACCESIBLE TO EVERYBODY?
This model is a new artistic exhibition format that solves the difficulties that COVID-19 has brought to the world of culture and art, guaranteeing anyone access to culture from their mobile phone.
LIMBO takes advantage of the tools already provided by digital platforms such as Instagram, transforming the filters of this social network into rooms that open and close. New interactive experiences that adapt to the current needs of culture.
LIMBO is an artistic, collaborative and open project, but above all an idea adapted to the tools of our time, we cannot move forward if we do not apply our own discoveries to our traditional methods. Opening the window of virtuality is not a rejection of the interpersonal relationship but another new tool of experience and relationship with art and culture, and in this more concrete case, with lost architectures.
Results in relation to category
WHERE IS THE LIMIT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN CULTURE?
Thanks to this new exhibition format and the impact of social networks in our daily lives, in just thirty days the projects exhibited in LIMBO were seen by more than 38,500 people.
Around 170 people used the exhibition's filters every day, and more than 900 people from all over the world took a photo or selfie within the virtual spaces of the exhibition. Undoubtedly, these results, in such a short time and with our reduced budget, would have been impossible to achieve in a traditional format exhibition.
For this reason, LIMBO is a pioneering project that aims to explore how new technologies can generate new opportunities, behaviors and ways of experiencing culture and art.
How Citizens benefit
HOW MANY PROJECTS OR IDEAS HAVE END UP IN A HARD DRIVE?
LIMBO was a collaborative project open to all architects, designers or architecture students in the world.
In February, an open call was launched for projects and works within the discipline of architecture that have not materialized. This does not mean that only projects with a constructive perspective are sought, but rather that participants were encouraged to contribute, through their work, new definitions of architecture.
We did not want architecture to be understood as a closed and cold concept, for this reason all those people who have carried out a creative project related to a space, real, imaginary, possible or impossible, and that had not materialized, were invited to participate.
On the other hand, LIMBO took advantage of the great impact of a social network like Instagram to bring architecture closer to all people around the world. You only needed a smartphone in your hands to visit LIMBO.
Innovative character
HAVE YOU EVER VISITED AN ARCHITECTURE EXHIBITION ON INSTAGRAM?
Nowdays, Instagram is the social network of the moment. Since the purchase in 2012 by Facebook, this network has increased its benefits, including new functions such as DMs, Stories, IG Live and recently the sale of products online. Each of these updates has generated a series of new routines and behaviors in users. LIMBO aims to explore the capacity of Instagram Filters as a tool to generate new augmented realities and spatial experiences for the users.
Like Instagram, this initiative aims to involve the greatest number of people and agents, whether or not they are linked to the world of art and architecture. This exhibition allows to expand and democratize the learning of architecture worldwide using a common language that is understandable by all audiences.
