Swiss-based art gallery unveils VR programme to explore virtual exhibitions

HWVR will be used to present Hauser & Wirth's debut VR exhibition, which will open at a yet-unknown date in April. The exhibit will take place in a virtual rendering of the mega-gallery's future location in Menorca, Spain. Photo: Handout

As art businesses are expanding their virtual offerings in response to the pandemic, Swiss-based contemporary and modern art gallery Hauser & Wirth has announced its new research and innovation arm ArtLab. The programme will develop "bespoke technological solutions" for pressing issues in the art world, including accessibility and reducing the carbon footprint associated with mounting exhibitions globally.

Among them are a digital residency programme at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles for artists and their teams, as well as a custom-built virtual reality (VR) modelling tool called HWVR.