INCITE FOUNDATION: Beyond the Frame

By HCMNov 26, 2024

The incite Foundation for the Arts supports the contributions and innovative work of the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

The incite Foundation for the Arts has contributed more than $9 million to 50 Hamilton-area organizations in grants from $2,500 to $300,000 since it was founded in 2011.

It is the legacy of the late Carl and Kate Turkstra who believed the arts are key to quality of life and critical to the future of Hamilton. And they believed anyone, regardless of circumstance, should be able to enjoy and pursue music, theatre, and visual art. HAMILTON CITY Magazine is showcasing the incredible, creative, and talented recipients of incite grants.

HAMILTON CITY Magazine is showcasing the incredible, creative, and talented recipients of incite grants. Here we share the work of the Art Gallery of Hamilton.

Read all about the legacy of Carl and Kate Turkstra here!

Century old paintings suddenly coming to life. Immersive soundscapes reinterpret collection classics. Artists reveal the processes, inspirations, and personal reflections of their work.

These are the kinds of new experiences offered at the Art Gallery of Hamilton (AGH) with its groundbreaking new art activation project Beyond the Frame. The project uses digital media to provide interpretive, sensory, and reimagined experiences that activate works from the AGH’s important permanent collection.

*The Dark Knight* by Esmaa Mohamoud is one of the works at the Art Gallery of Hamilton activated in the ground-breaking project Beyond the Frame. Photos: Courtesy of the Art Gallery of Hamilton

Select works have been supplemented with the addition of audio and video interviews of artists sharing the meaning of their work, inspiration and creative process, as well as musical reinterpretations of paintings, process sketches, artist biographies, dramatic poetry readings, immersive soundscapes, and even augmented reality views of painting and sculptures.

Works by William Blair Bruce, Alex Colville, Tim Whiten, Kareem-Anthony Ferreira, Christina Sealey, Marlo Panko, Esmaa Mohamoud, and Katherine Takpannie are included in the project so far. The AGH plans to have 20 activations available by year-end, with more anticipated in 2025 and beyond. With more than 11,000 works in the permanent collection, the number of possible stories to tell is endless.

“The goal of Beyond the Frame is to present new ways to appreciate the art, making it more accessible for as wide a demographic as possible. Prior to the project, visitors weren’t able to discover the stories behind works in the permanent collection unless they were on tour with AGH staff and docents,” said Denise Tenio, coordinator of interpretation and public programs.

At left, a visitor looks at Alex Colville's *The Traveller* through an iPad at the AGH. At right,
a visitor listening to Beyond the Frame content stands in front of *This is Nemesis* by William Kurelek. Composite image: Art Gallery of Hamilton

“Museums are undergoing a digital transformation, and we want to leverage emerging technologies in a way that allows people to enhance their experience of an artwork, providing moments of wonder for visitors,” said Ty Tekatch, lead of media production.

“We also view Beyond the Frame as a chance to work with the diverse artists whose art we have the privilege of housing in our collection. Sharing their stories and highlighting the humanity behind the art is a significant driver and motivator for this project,” says Tenio and Tekatch. “This project allows us to foreground the voice of the artist to speak about their work, influences, and experiences.”

The hope is that visitors will walk away with a deeper, more personal understanding of the art, allowing them to connect with the pieces on an emotional or intellectual level, regardless of their prior experience with art.

“The AGH is thrilled to have this opportunity to amplify our important permanent collection and transform the visitor experience with Beyond the Frame,” says Shelley Falconer, president and CEO at the AGH. “We are so grateful to the incite Foundation for the Arts for their generous support, which has made this innovative art activation possible.”

Beyond the Frame activations are being added weekly into December and planning is underway for new works throughout 2025. An official launch party will happen in the new year as well.Note: Beyond the Frame is best experienced using headphones – if you don’t bring your own or don’t have a pair, you can borrow them at the visitor services desk on Gallery Level 1. There will also be iPads to borrow soon.