“Tübke Monumental”: Multimedia Installation

The latest technologies not only create exceptional images, they also offer new approaches to mediation and art experiences. An example of this is TÜBKE MONUMENTAL, a multifaceted project that is being presented until 31 December 2022 at KUNSTKRAFTWERK in Leipzig. The immersive multimedia installation is a homage to the painter Werner Tübke (1929–2004), co-founder of the Leipzig School and creator of the Peasants’ War panorama “Early Bourgeois Revolution in Germany” (1983/87). With a size of 4 by 123 metres, it is one of the biggest paintings in Central Europe.

On the occasion of the 90th birthday of the painter in the year 2019, Markus Löffler, Director of KUNSTKRAFTWERK, and the new media artist Franz Fischnaller decided to transfer the imposing painting to the digital world.

The multimedia installation THE GREAT CIRCLE is a composition by Fischnaller comprising twelve scenes of the panorama painting. In cooperation with Cineca, he developed a script from it and designed dynamic 3D models. These were transmitted in a 27-minute presentation by 25 projectors in a resolution of 21,849 by 2000 pixels onto the 1200-squaremetre surface of the machine hall and accompanied by sound effects by Steve Bryson.

The cloud-based ArtCentrica application called TÜBKE TOUCH with 3000 gigapixel shots and a 300 gigabyte image file allow the painting to be researched down to the smallest detail. This enables a direct interaction with the work of art, which can scarcely be grasped in the original due to its mighty size alone. In future, worldwide access to the research and education tool is planned.

TÜBKE MONUMENTAL is sponsored by the Ostdeutsche Sparkassenstiftung with Sparkasse Leipzig and a Leipzig civic initiative.