Wunderweg
WUNDERWEG is a digital art project by Maria Katharina Rauchenberger curated by Alessia Simonetti that allows to enjoy Rauchenberger’s artworks in an innovative way by involving the visitor on a cognitive, perceptive and emotional level.
Wunderweg, the fusion of the German words Wanderweg (‘path’) and Wunder (‘wonder’), is ispired by the Wunderkammern, literally ‘chamber of wonders’. This word was used to indicate particular environments in which, from the XVI to the XVIII century, the collectors kept collections of extraordinary objects. Their contents fell under a variety categories like artificialia, man-made antiquities and artworks; naturalia, plants, animals, and other items from nature; scientifica, scientific instruments; exotica, objects from distant lands; and mirabilia, a bucket term for other marvels that spark wonder.
Wunderweg is a path of wonders through which visitors can discover Rauchenberger’s artworks on natural elements (‘naturalia’) and ancient sculptures (‘artificialia’).
What is intended to be reproduced in the virtual environment – available on the artist’s website – is the map of Florence where the artist created some of her artworks. These virtual spaces are understood and represented as ‘access points’ to a wonderful dimension: selecting each point of interest, it will be possible to see Rauchenberger’s digital artworks, both colour filtered photographs and videos. This engaging experience can lead the visitor to discover the history, beauty and vitality of the places identified.
Rauchenberger’s purpose is to enhance the historical, cultural and artistic heritage of Florence by allowing people to discover its wonders through a new perspective. Some of the places identified are Piazza Santa Croce, the Bargello Museum, the Villa and the Bardini Garden, Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens.
Wunderweg is an evolving project that will expand over time to include new places and artworks by Rauchenberger to be discovered.
The entire digital project will be created starting from Rauchenberger’s artistic language that ranges from digital art, photography, music, to opera singing. The visitor will find herself or himself in a suggestive landscape, a surprising environment where she/he will not only be a spectator but also the protagonist of the artwork and of an unprecedented narrative that unites the present and the past and dissolves the boundaries between the real, imaginary and virtual world.
The project will be accessible to a wide public and at any time: WUNDERWEG is aimed at both passers-by (residents or tourists) who will walk around Florence, and those who will be physically distant from the city.
TECHNICAL DETAILS OF THE DIGITAL WORK
WUNDERWEG begins with the opening of the map of Florence where the points of interest are marked with pins. By clicking on the pins, it will be possible to directly see the artworks by Rauchenberger. In addition to presenting itself as an opportunity for digital use of the works, accessible from any place and at any time, the images shown will allow you to discover the beauties of the city of Florence from another perspective.
ACTIVE VISITOR PARTICIPATION
A specific symbol, loaded on the map of Florence, will redirect visitors to Instagram allowing them to use the 'Wunderfilter' filter in the points of interest that are represented in the works of Maria Katharina Rauchenberger and in any other place. 'Wunderfilter' is a project that was born with the intention of spreading art outside the usual contexts through contemporary communication channels. Rauchenberger's poetics and artistic language are applied to Instagram with the creation of a personalized filter ('Wunderfilter') that arises from the artist's works.
The project aim is to create continuity between the virtual environment and the real world: by clicking on the specific symbol the user connects to 'Wunderfilter' and can take a photo via smartphone or tablet, thus transporting the filtered vision and wonderful experience that she/he experienced in WUNDERWEG in the surrounding environment. In addition, by saving the filter on her/his profile, the user can continue to observe the surrounding reality through a new look at any time and in any place. The individual work thus becomes collective and in constant evolution.