General overview of the exhibition system

Gallerydrive is a system for the experience of art by literally driving through it. The system consists of a fixed course, as well as of several automatic motor driven vehicles, which are based on electric wheelchairs. The exhibition visitors are driven on those vehicles along a predefined track.

The track forms a looped course, where the points for entering and exiting the cars are given. The course leads through an exhibition, in which art is presented in a linear dramaturgy. A variable routing is not intended, since the fixed dramaturgy of the exhibition represents a substantial aspect of the concept.

Gallerydrive is a modular system. Its size is scalable and since the track is nothing more than adhesive tape, it can be easily adapted to almost any existing venue.

Technical possibilities of the Gallerydrive vehicles

Each car is equipped with a user interface. This consists of a display, an audio system and two buttons. Fixed markers (RFID-tags) on the track control the vehicles speed, the content on its display, as well as the audio track which is played.

Beside those fixed markers, the bi-directional transmission of variable parameters (via IR) between artwork and vehicle is also possible in order to set up interactive pieces. In the most simple case, the vehicle communicates to an artwork, whether it is passed. In addition, the exchange of more complex information is possible. Information about if one of the vehicles buttons was pushed can be sent to the artwork and the artwork can control all the vehicles functions.

Additional features of single Gallerydrive vehicles

The system is open for vehicles, which can be artworks for itself, or which can be extended by artistic installations. Thus, a further level can be added to the experience of the artworks, shown in the course.

An installation of the Staalplaat sound system, which extends the seat of one vehicle by massage functions, is already in planning, for instance. The parameters of such auxiliary functions can be also set and programmed by the track markers or by the variable infrared communication. These functions would interpret the shown artworks, when they are passed by the vehicle. In the case of the Staalplaat installation, this would add a tactile layer to the perception of the artworks.

Extending the system

A further component of the Gallerydrive system is this web page. Interested artist, amateur craftsmen, or other ambitious people are invited to build their own vehicles for the system and to increase it by that.

Therefore, we provide all the plans and schematics, which are required to turn an electric wheelchair into a Gallerydrive vehicle. All this material is licensed under a creative commons license.

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