New VR App for the Exhibition Magical Reflections

**Johann Erdmann Hummel’s „Granitschale im Berliner Lustgarten“ (1831) as an immersive 3D image** © Freunde der Nationalgalerie

**Virtual gallery with works from the exhibition „Magical Reflections – Johann Erdmann Hummel“ in the Alte Nationalgalerie** © Freunde der Nationalgalerie

New VR App for the Exhibition Magical Reflections

18.01.2022
Alte Nationalgalerie

In collaboration with the Alte Nationalgalerie and supported by Meta, the Freunde der Nationalgalerie (support association) have launched the virtual reality app Magical Reflections. The web-based software was conceived as a companion project to the current special exhibition at the Alte Nationalgalerie.

The Magical Reflections app can be used with virtual reality devices as well as on smartphones and desktop computers. The corresponding exhibition Magical Reflections – Johann Erdmann Hummel is on view until 20 February 2022 at the Alte Nationalgalerie.

The Exhibition Magical Reflections – Johann Erdmann Hummel

The Alte Nationalgalerie is currently celebrating the rediscovery of painter Johann Erdmann Hummel (1769–1852) with a major exhibition of his works, the first in almost a century. The painter, little known to the general public, was very interested in portraying inventive reflections, nested spatial constructions and ingenious lighting effects. At the time, Hummel’s teachings at the Akademie der Künste, Berlin (Academy of Arts) on optics, perspective and architecture, as well as his research and publications on the laws of visual perception, were pioneering in Germany and abroad. Both activities had a strong influence on his artistic production.

Granite Basin in Berlin Lustgarten from 1831 Presented as an Immersive 3D Image

The Magical Reflections VR app builds on this special artistic-scientific approach and brings Hummel’s ideas into the 21st century. A seemingly magical, virtual gallery displays selected works from the current exhibition, ultimately guiding viewers to one of Hummel’s major works: Granitschale im Berliner Lustgarten (The Granite Basin in the Lustgarten in Berlin) from 1831. The painting was reconstructed for the VR app as an immersive 3D image. Viewers now have the opportunity to look at the painting from new, previously unfamiliar angles, take their own photographs and share them with other users via Instagram and Meta.