Winchester Cathedral | Sensing the Unseen: Step into Gossaert’s ‘Adoration’

Sensing the Unseen: Step into Gossaert’s ‘Adoration’

Details

An innovative and ground-breaking exhibition: Jan Gossaert’s ‘Adoration of the Kings’

Exhibition designed and produced by the National Gallery, London.

Kindly supported by the Greg and Jan Winchester Charitable Foundation.

Opening in January 2022, the digital ‘Sensing the Unseen: Step into Gossaert’s ‘Adoration” exhibition will begin its first tour from the National Gallery and will be installed in the historic and atmospheric setting of Winchester Cathedral.

Entry to this event will be included with a general admission ticket, but pre-booking per person is essential.

Please be ready to present your general admission ticket upon arrival or plan to purchase your general admission ticket at the Welcome Desk in advance of your timed ticket slot for this event.

Timed ticket slots are available every 20 minutes (within opening hours), but are limited due to the exhibition comprising of only 3 pods, so please book as far in advance as possible to secure your preferred time/date.

The exhibition is a multisensory experience, transporting you into the world of Jan Gossaert’s ‘Adoration of the Kings’. The 3D perfect facsimile of the painting (produced by Factum Arte) showcases the depth of the paint, the vivid colours and exquisite details of this 16th century masterpiece. It is complemented by a soundscape, the squawking of birds, the chink of the bridles and the voice of King Balthasar.

Using digital technology, you can experience one of the National Gallery’s most popular paintings like never before. The exhibition space will comprise of the full scale facsimile painting, spot lit and flanked by three yurt-like pods. Inside each pod, you will encounter a digital image of the painting, which has been ‘sonified’ using soundscapes, spoken words, music and a poem. As you step into the experience you can discover and navigate previously unseen elements.

“A sonic blast that captures the spine-tingling awe of Christmas”- Alistair Sooke, The Telegraph

“This is a new way of looking at painting, and a new way of making exhibitions… The result is a joy, whether you’re 12, 24, 42 or 107…. It’s the coolest thing. I can’t wait to see which masterpiece is next.” – Nancy Durant, Evening Standard

Exhibition information

Your journey

Your Gossaert exhibition journey:

After walking down the historic North Nave aisle, you’ll arrive at the entry desk, situated in the North Transept, with your timed ticket. Once a steward has checked your ticket, you’ll be issued with a set of sanitised headphones and guided to one of the three yurt-like ‘pods’ containing a screen. A Visitor Assistant will activate the experience for you.
A narrator will guide you through the whole experience with subtitles.
You will be invited to observe the 3D facsimile painting for around 1 ½ minutes.
After this time, the narrator will guide you to re-enter your yurt-like pod, where your digital journey will begin (8 minutes in length).
Following the digital experience, you’ll be guided to exit the pod and listen to a poem in the voice of King Balthasar whilst you enjoy the painting again with a fresh perspective for 3 minutes.
You’ll then return your headphones to the steward to be sanitised, but your experience won’t stop there – Continue the exhibition up the stairs and you’ll find interactive textile samples and Cathedral Vestment displays, as well as an opportunity for quiet reflection in the Epiphany Chapel, to complete this immersive experience.
You can also enjoy a free, fully interactive version of the experience on your mobile phone – go to https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/visiting/virtual-tours/sensing-the-unseen-at-home to access.

Covid-19

Headphones used for the digital element of the exhibition will be carefully sanitised and the pods will be sprayed with an antibacterial solution by steward staff for your safety.
You will only share a pod with individuals included in your booking. You will not be asked to share a pod with other members of the general public.

For the protection of others, we encourage you to a face-covering when the Cathedral is busy.

Accessibility

Creating a more inclusive exhibition has been a priority in the design of this exhibition.

The following has been put in place to make this exhibition more inclusive:
– Subtitles available – including the option to describe the sounds of the sonified painting.
– All pods are wheelchair accessible and large enough for a wheelchair user plus one other person.
– Gestural interaction in the experience can use any body part (not just arms/legs).
– Stools available inside the space for those who may find long periods of standing difficult.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any accessibility questions: cathedral.office@winchester-cathedral.org.uk

Sensing the Unseen: Step into Gossaert’s ‘Adoration’

DATE & TIME

Location

Booking

“A sonic blast that captures the spine-tingling awe of Christmas”- Alistair Sooke, The Telegraph

“This is a new way of looking at painting, and a new way of making exhibitions… The result is a joy, whether you’re 12, 24, 42 or 107…. It’s the coolest thing. I can’t wait to see which masterpiece is next.” – Nancy Durant, Evening Standard

Exhibition information

Your journey

Covid-19

Accessibility

Support us

DATE & TIME

Location

Booking

“A sonic blast that captures the spine-tingling awe of Christmas”- Alistair Sooke, The Telegraph

“This is a new way of looking at painting, and a new way of making exhibitions… The result is a joy, whether you’re 12, 24, 42 or 107…. It’s the coolest thing. I can’t wait to see which masterpiece is next.” – Nancy Durant, Evening Standard

Exhibition information

Your journey

Covid-19

Accessibility

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Support us

Sensing the Unseen: Step into Gossaert’s ‘Adoration’

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