sabine marcelis' digital tactile experiments offer material experiences

in questioning how we can still experience tactility in a digitally driven society, sabine marcelis presents a virtual representation of design and furniture works that can be experienced through a 3D display technology. the project presents the potential for a solution on how we can still form intimate material experiences across increasingly digital interfaces. for ‘virtual tactility’, marcelis considers her designs to be true sensorial experiences and not simple static works — the experience becomes the function, with a refined and unique aesthetic.

polished resin and onyx marble / 140 x 140 x 40 cm

made in collaboration with tech partner 5GHUB eindhoven and presented during dutch design week 2020, marcelis created a collection of work that explores how we can transform tactility in a digital manner and translate physical presence into a remote experience. an advanced 3D display technology, which simulates reality, has been developed by dimenco displays. this unique collaboration with specialists from the technology sectors has enabled marcelis to rethink how we can experience an intimate material experience in a post-pandemic world. marcelis applies a strong aesthetic point of view to her collaborations with industry specialists — a method of working that allows her to intervene in the manufacturing process, and use material research and experimentation to achieve new and surprising visual effects.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by : STUDIO SABINE MARCELIS : (@sabine_marcelis) on Oct 29, 2020 at 12:41pm PDT

marcelis has also taken the first steps in offering a physical art experience from a distance in collaboration with victor hunt gallery. virtual visitors can take control over a number of cameras placed in a remote gallery space, giving them the opportunity to experience her new series of luminaires, ‘rise’. in continuation of her explorations of light interactions, ‘rise’ delves into the possibilities of layered mirrors and neon lights to simultaneously create optical illusions of infinity and color filtered reflections of the surrounding environment, resulting in hybrid works that are both mirrors when turned off and lights when turned on. marcelis intends that the ‘virtual visiting’ technique will be used on a larger scale later this year, but during dutch design week at victor hunt gallery, the first steps have been taken in this new form of art experience.

polished resin and neon light / 190 cm