Explore the world through someone else’s eyes. This is the tag line for Periscope, a popular new app launched by Twitter that allows users to connect through live stream videos. Think of it as Skype or FaceTime, except you can broadcast to viewers all over the world and tune in to just about anything you can think of; sneak into a closed sporting event, watch a political riot unfold, or go backstage with your favorite television actors. Periscope is a new and exciting way to share experiences and connect to the bigger picture. And for the art world, its possibilities are endless.
Museums and galleries have embraced Periscope as a way to bring their collections even closer to the public eye and broaden the impact of exhibitions. The British Museum was one of the first museums to take advantage of the app this past May with an after-hours guided tour of the acclaimed exhibition Defining Beauty: The Body in Ancient Greek Art. The broadcast provided an intimate view of Greek masterpieces, and viewers were able to send in questions and comments as they watched. Watch the broadcast here.
Soon the Indianapolis Museum of Art, the Rubin Museum, and the Grand Palais in Paris followed suit with live broadcasts from curators and tours of exhibitions. The trend has now grown to include MOMA, The Guggenheim, The Andy Warhol Museum, and more, who have broadcasted events, historic video footage of famed artists, and museum tours to unlimited audiences. If you follow these institutions on Twitter, keep an eye on their feed to be notified of their next broadcast. Each video is available for streaming 24 hours after it’s posted, unless the broadcaster saves the video and uploads to YouTube.
Galleries and auction houses also started reaping the benefits of Periscope by using it as another outlet to sell. Videos of new acquisitions give collectors a closer look, and live streams of opening receptions and auctions attract wider audiences. Talk with an artist about a particular painting, visit a sculptor’s studio, watch an exhibition installment, or even witness a three million dollar sale at Christie’s.
You guessed it; Pippin Contemporary is now on Periscope! Follow us and tour the gallery, meet new artists, see exhibitions going up, and more. Make sure to stay connected with us on Facebook and Twitter to be notified of live broadcasts.