Janet Beck, CEO and founder of Irish creative studio Glasseye, is using immersive technology to bring traditional paintings to life through sound, movement and visuals
But thanks to new technologies these paintings can now be experienced in a whole new way by incorporating movement and sound with visual.
One artist reimagining traditional art and bringing it into the future is Kilkenny-based Janet Beck.
Janet, the visionary founder of Glasseye, is redefining contemporary art by using immersive technology to bring traditional paintings to life.
Raised in Clane, Co Kildare, Janet’s passion for art was evident from a young age. After studying fine art at the National College of Art and Design and Ulster University, she honed her craft in Thomastown, Co Kilkenny. Her early career blended artistic exploration with entrepreneurial drive, leading to the establishment of Glasseye.
Today, Janet leads a team of 12 people based in Thomastown, Dublin, Belfast, and Spain. Janet and the Glasseye team have recently collaborated with Illusionaries in London to create ‘Entheon’, an experience that offers visitors a 360-degree journey into the evocative art of Alex and Allyson Grey.
Through the innovative use of new-age animation and extended reality (XR) techniques, the ‘Entheon’ experience features mesmerising installations, dynamic animations, and serene meditation spaces designed to engage the senses and evoke deep contemplation.
Janet has redefined contemporary art by using immersive technology to bring traditional paintings to life
Armed with digital technology and AI as well as traditional software, Glasseye have created a montage of movement, telling a story by using the paintings of Alex and Allyson Grey.
“We crafted a 12-minute visual journey that intertwines their work, taking viewers through ‘The Progress of the Soul’,” said founder of Glasseye, Janet Beck.
“Our goal was to connect audiences with the artwork, transporting them into another dimension through the movement of visuals, the sound of audio, and the reflections of mirrors.”
But how do you reimagine traditional paintings without losing sight of the original art in the process?
As someone who has dedicated her life’s work to de-constructing traditional art and bringing it to life in today’s world, Janet understands how important it is that she remains a facilitator, allowing the original art to reach its full potential by engaging all the senses. Her work is not about de-constructing the art so much that it turns into a whole new painting, unrecognisable to the original artwork.
“Nothing beats standing in front of a masterpiece, a painting that is hundreds of years old but there are other ways we can experience that painting now. By experiencing the painting in an immersive way you are touching at more of the senses and opening that painting up into a new dimension and bringing it into the future,” explained Janet.
“When you are standing in an immersive space and seeing this new movement from a painting you already know and seeing it brought to life with audio and mirrored walls and floors, it really does feel like you are completely immersed and surrounded by the artwork.”
The ‘Entheon’ experience represents the fusion of traditional art from Alex and Allyson Grey and cutting-edge technology
For Janet, the work is not about creating something new, but allowing art to be experienced in an immersive setting by adding extra layers to the original painting.
“A painting is a painting, it is created flat so to make that into a 3D space and to make it move you have to de-construct the painting. For us as animators, designers and creators, we are taking someone else’s life’s work and being trusted with bringing that original painting to life.
“What’s really important is that we remain respectful and authentic to the original artwork and the meaning of that work. There’s a fine line between interpreting that artwork by paying tribute to its original form and overdoing it and, as a result, creating something completely alien to the original artwork.”
This is only the start of how far art can be pushed. For creatives like Janet and the rest of the Glasseye team, they most be ready to embrace new advancements in how art can be experienced and enjoyed.
“It is endless. Art can always be pushed and is changing all the time. I suppose the realms of creativity and what’s possible and imagination is endless.
“The whole virtual and immersive space is exploding at the moment and we are really excited about that space. As creators, designers and animators we need to be ready to embrace these changes and get ready to work with them.”
