Colored lights shine on leaves of a plant

Longwood Gardens Takes Philly Tech Week by Storm

By Abbey Palutis, on

TechniCulture, hosted by the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, was held April 17 at the Chemical Heritage Foundation. As part of Philly Tech Week, TechniCulture was designed to build deeper relationships between the cultural and tech communities and inspire cultural organizations to think more innovatively.

Longwood Gardens was a great fit to present at this year’s TechniCulture, since innovation is a key part of our legacy and continues to be integral to our Gardens’ future.

Colored lights shine on leaves of a plant

Nightscape: A Light and Sound Experience opens July 1.

Alongside Ricardo Rivera, Creative Director of Klip Collective, Longwood presented at the first annual TechniCulture Event, highlighting our upcoming exhibit, Nightscape: A Sound and Light Experience by Klip Collective. Here is a recap of the presentation Nightscape at Longwood, where we hoped to bring to light why we are venturing into the world of 3D projection mapping:

From business efficiencies, such as data systems, to operational proficiencies such as reducing water consumption, Longwood uses technology to achieve excellence in all aspects of its operations. In the past decade, we’ve used technology to create world-class exhibitions and displays from the Chrysanthemum Festival featuring the one-of-kind Thousand Bloom Mum, to the award winning Light: Installations by Bruce Munro. This summer, Longwood is embarking on new territory in a never-before-seen 3D projection mapping installation called Nightscape: A Light and Sound Experience by Klip Collective.

The idea for Nightscape came about three years ago, after Longwood Executive Director Paul Redman heard about a 2012 Klip installation at Bartram’s Garden in West Philadelphia.

Based in Philadelphia, Klip Collective is a visual art shop that integrates projection lighting and technology with storytelling to create compelling experiences. Photographer Pier Nicola DʼAmico and video artist Ricardo Rivera founded Klip in 2003 to create immersive and large-scale video projection experiences.

After experimenting and testing with our many horticulture displays for more than a year, Nightscape will debut July 1 and run through October 31.

Although technology might not be top of mind as you stroll the beauty and serenity of our Gardens, technology is an important part of our legacy and our future. We think our founder, Pierre S. du Pont would be pleased with the way technology has influenced our lives, and how Longwood is embracing that change through new exhibits such as Nightscape. Our hope for Nightscape is that it will allow our guests to see our Gardens in a new way, but also attract new visitors who are intrigued by the fusion of art and technology Nightscape provides.

But don’t take our word for it; here is what Tech Week had to say:

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