The global virtual venue business is thriving. Things previously physically or financially inaccessible are now available to anyone with a phone or a laptop. Even before COVID-19 revolutionized the way we work, virtual meetups and conferencing had been consistently on the rise.
The pandemic forced us all, however, to explore alternative spaces. That is why many artists have lately turned to virtual art exhibition software to create art galleries, throw launch parties, and plan hybrid events.
Virtual Exhibitions: A Cultural Shift
In response to the pandemic, most museums, festivals, and happenings had to shut down operations. Entire industries had to suddenly face empty seats and even emptier calendars. As a result, many performers, galleries, and events decided to expand their activities into the digital arena.
They were searching for something to replicate that special in-person connection. And they found out they weren't alone. For the last few years, hybrid event platforms like Cerebrum Progressus (formerly PandaMR) have enabled virtual events, conferences, networking events, and exhibitions in their 3D venues, showing communities can use virtual worlds to connect and exchange ideas.
A few years ago, many considered virtual reality and immersive media a niche - something limited exclusively to entertainment and video games. Social distancing, however, has prompted the adoption of collaboration platforms and digital tools that can reduce the need for physical interaction. Now, augmented and virtual reality technology is increasingly used by sectors like education, health care, real estate, retail, and art.
When Art Basel's Online Viewing Rooms opened in April 2020, the gallery-connecting platform was so popular that it crashed the site. One month before, the British Museum's online collection page had jumped from about 2000 visits daily to over 175,000.
It is the perfect time for innovators to push the limit of creativity and experiment with how they present their art.
Why Should You Consider a Virtual Art Exhibition?
If you're an artist, you might have considered running a virtual art exhibition to display your work. Virtual art exhibitions offer several advantages over brick-and-mortar ones. Primarily, they are convenient and cost-effective. But they can also turn the display of your art pieces into a unique interactive experience without physical limitations or design constraints.
These are some of the reasons why virtual art exhibition software can be an excellent way to plan your event or launch your virtual art gallery:
Convenience
Anyone can visit and revisit your artworks without needing to travel. Making purchases is also easier thanks to online transactions. For example, someone can pay for an item and then get it immediately delivered.
And because the work is displayed digitally, it doesn't need to live in one place. Instead, it can concurrently coexist in many - without you needing to pack and ship anything.
Exposure
Online exhibitions can help you reach new audiences and attract new visitors. A virtual exhibition can place your work in front of anyone, anywhere, as long as they have an internet connection. Your potential reach is much higher than with a physical display. Moreover, the fact that they take place in such an innovative medium can also drive interest and add to your artist's resume.
No Limitation on Space
Virtual spaces are free from the constraints of physical space and physics. You can have as many rooms as you like, personalized to your style and organized in gravity-defying configurations.
There are no boundaries to virtual design. An art exhibition can be turned into a complete experience for just a fraction of the cost it would take to rent and prepare a physical gallery.
Unlimited Images, Audio and Video
Art can take many forms. For example, if you're using virtual art exhibition software, you can present your work using images, videos, or sounds. And you won't have to carry and install the equipment to do so. Instead, it can be as easy as uploading a file to display it automatically in your selected location.
Immersiveness
Virtual spaces can be incredibly immersive and feel more personal too. They let visitors explore a gallery at their own pace and without interference - if they so desire. People can connect to your art more easily because of the uninterrupted enjoyment.
How to Host a Virtual Launch Party
Organizing a launch party for your art exhibition can feel daunting, but it offers many long-term benefits. Pop-up galleries, in particular, can have advantages that longer-term venues cannot provide. They are more flexible, require a smaller financial investment, and can be set up faster.
Throwing a virtual launch party for your gallery or art exhibition is a great way to drive interest and sales. There are a few recommended steps to help your launch party become a success:
- Create an event page or site: You can use Facebook or other social media to create a dedicated page for your launch party. Cerebrum Progressus (formerly PandaMR) can also help you create a website to promote your event. This way, you will be able to offer potential visitors a summary of what to expect when checking your event and whether they need any particular technology to access it, such as a computer or a VR headset.
- Promote your event: Once you have set up your page or site, it's time to invite people to sign up or prepare for it. You can use email campaigns, tweet about it, or use online and offline advertising. And, of course, don't forget to make a few calls to your friends and family. We don't want to leave them out!
- Plan activities for your launch event: Even if the launch party is virtual, this doesn't mean you can't set up some conversation starters, games, or activities. Think in terms of things people can do when visiting your exhibition. For example, you could allow visitors to leave messages or comments on a particular art piece (they can be public or private, depending on your preference). You could also run a prize draw or offer special promotions for the work you're showing.
Virtual launch parties can be as much fun as in-person ones. And if you're running a hybrid event (happening at the same time in a physical space like a gallery or venue and online), you can interact with all of your visitors simultaneously. That way, guests who can’t travel to a specific location can feel part of the experience.
How to Prepare for a Virtual Art Gallery
Before we get into the particulars of virtual art exhibition software, there are a few things that can help you prepare for the launch of your virtual art gallery.
First of all, you should select the artwork you want to display. It's best if you pick your most important pieces - the ones that represent your style and your unique view of the world. There's an essential distinction between art created for a virtual environment (like digital art) and those pieces made in a more traditional medium.
If you first made your art for a digital context, there's less you'll need to do. The colors should translate well. However, if you're going to be exhibiting art that was "hand-made," you probably want to make sure you're representing it as faithfully as you can. For example, always list the dimensions, original materials and tools, and price to your viewers and take good quality pictures of your artwork.
If you're not a photographer, you might consider hiring one to take pictures of your artwork for you. It's essential to use the best lighting possible and also include details of each piece. This is particularly important if you're displaying a
sculpture, as you will need to show multiple perspectives.
Once you've picked your best artwork, it's time to promote your event. As mentioned when we covered the requirements of a launch party, make sure you set up a page or website and promote your gallery.
You can email art dealers, galleries, and collectors and invite them to see your work. And you can even arrange private sessions with them to show them what you've created and how you will be using the space.
How to Make a Virtual Art Gallery
The best way to organize a virtual art gallery or exhibition is to use virtual art exhibition software. Cerebrum Progressus (formerly PandaMR) offers tailored solutions to help you plan the most inspiring event. These are some of the advantages the platform has to offer:
Spacious Venue and 3D Sound
Cerebrum Progressus's (formerly PandaMR) virtual spaces, 3D conference halls, and meeting rooms are large and have optimized 3D sound and spatial audio. The platform also offers two appealing designs for Art Gallery venues where people can showcase their art pieces in a 3D environment. When someone clicks on the artwork, the system can redirect them directly to the marketplace where it can be bought. This tool should be of particular interest to NFT artists.
Gamification and Monetization
The platform allows for multiplayer gamification and monetization. As a result, you can turn your art gallery or art event into a unique, fun experience.
Gamification has been proven to increase content consumption and visitation rates and foster favorable valuations. Go beyond what's expected of a virtual art gallery, reward your guests and keep them engaged for longer.
Summary
Today, we know art is much more than what hangs on a wall. It's also the experiences, ideas, and principles that create the spaces around them. There are art dealers that specialize in art that is only available digitally.
There's also a huge push towards NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) and virtual art that seems to be much more than a trend. And after all, what better place to display virtual assets than using a virtual art gallery?
While the concept of virtual galleries and museums has been around for over two decades, it took some time for us to get there technologically, and we didn't have the dire need for a smoother connection we experienced in the last years.
Creating a virtual art gallery and planning your online art exhibition launch party is easier than ever with virtual art exhibition software. Whether this is the first time you have planned a virtual art event or have previous experience, the possibilities are endless.