Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. Supports Björk Retrospective at the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA)

Launch of augmented audio guide developed in cooperation with Volkswagen experts
Mar 5, 2015 2:00 PM ET

NEW YORK and WOLFSBURG, GERMANY, March 5, 2015 /3BL Media/ - The Museum of Modern Art and Volkswagen Group of America (VWGoA) have welcomed international media representatives for a preview of the retrospective Björk, which is going to be accessible for the public from March 8 until June 7, 2015 at The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York. Organized collaboratively between Björk and Klaus Biesenbach, Chief Curator at Large at MoMA and Director of MoMA PS1, the large-scale exhibition features music, videos, graphics, objects, costumes and instruments as a unique documentary of a more than 20-year long creative career.

Björk’s global influence is based on an unparalleled fusion of art, technology and pop culture, which is expressed in numerous ways throughout the exhibition including a groundbreaking augmented audio guide. Specially developed on the occasion of the MoMA retrospective, this pioneering device uses software technology created and enhanced by the VWGoA Electronics Research Laboratory (ERL) and the German sound agencies Klangerfinder and S12.

The retrospective represents the first exhibition of Björk’s work in a museum. Volkswagen Group of America has supported the development and the realization of this project in the context of their ongoing relationship with MoMA and MoMA PS1, which produced more than 20 key projects ranging from contemporary art exhibitions to international online education courses, since the cooperation was formed in 2011 by MoMA’s Director Glenn D. Lowry and Dr. Martin Winterkorn, Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. The work between VWGoA and the museum is a key pillar of international social and cultural engagement, connecting Volkswagen Group with further cultural institutions, such as the Nationalgalerie – Staatliche Museen zu Berlin, and leading artists, like the Chinese pianist and social caring personality Lang Lang.      

Klaus Biesenbach said during the preview in New York: “Our visitors will be provided with a highly innovative and inspiring exhibition experience, offering insights to one of the greatest creative minds in today’s world of music and art. We would like to thank our partners for supporting Björk and us in creating such an unprecedented kind of visual stimulation and sound art.”  

Michael Horn, President and CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, added: “As a trusted partner of cultural institutions, artists and art projects, we are eager to support ideas that pave the way for creativity and innovation, which we believe are vital elements in a progressive society. The Björk retrospective opens up new perspectives in its outstanding combination of imagination and technology. We feel privileged to contribute not only to the funding of the exhibition but also to the technological research work.”

Contact:
Volkswagen Group of America
Carsten Krebs
Director, Corporate Communications 
Phone: +1 703-364-7165
Carsten.Krebs@vw.com