Hauser & Wirth Launches ArtLab Digital Program with Virtual Reality Exhibitions

Hauser & Wirth has announced ArtLab, a digital initiative aimed at rethinking art accessibility through technology. The program's first step is HWVR, a virtual reality tool for creating exhibitions. The inaugural virtual show, set for late April 2020, will take place in the planned future venue on Menorca, Spain, a 1,500-square-meter art center designed by architect Luis Laplace, set to open in 2021. Ten percent of sales proceeds from the VR exhibition will go to the WHO's COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund. ArtLab originated in summer 2019 as a response to climate change, aiming to reduce emissions from art transport and exhibition setup. Future plans include digital residencies in Los Angeles for artists to explore digital tools. Iwan Wirth stated that necessity drove innovation, accelerating the launch due to the pandemic. The initiative seeks to engage audiences in isolation, fostering connection through virtual experiences.