Image: Gina Siliquini
The Invisible Collection is an art collection of stories in which people talk about their favorite work of art. Mediamatic Amsterdam originally created the project in 2018 to help the visually impaired to imagine works of art based on audio descriptions by art experts.
In 2019, Marres developed a new version of The Invisible Collection that opened up to stories beyond those of experts and with a broadened definition of art. Since then, Marres harvested over 75 stories from people of all ages and backgrounds who share their art experiences in audio. The collected art stories will eventually form an Invisible Museum. Anyone can listen to the stories of The Invisible Collection on this page, regardless of your level of art knowledge.
Education
Marres also launched a version of The Invisible Collection for elementary schools in which students between the ages of 9 and 14 describe their favorite works of art. They tell what they feel or think when they see or smell an artwork. The project is aimed at letting children reflect on their perception and the experiences of others. This archive of art stories enables teachers to discuss concepts such as identity, culture, society, language and history from different perspectives. This initiative was nominated for the Dutch Museum Education Prize 2019. A workshop for The Invisible Collection is available for primary and secondary schools.
Art stories
All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix by Matilda Lindll
Balmy Alley Murals – Mujeres Muralistas by Ehecatl Sevilla
Take Me To The Water To Be Baptized – Lhola Amira by Khanyisile Mbongwa
Becoming a Painting, 1950s–2019 – Stéphanie Saadé and Charbel Joseph H. Boutros, by Stéphanie Saadé
Game Over, 2009 – Sergey Lakotko, by Lucy Sysoeva
Pillow Thoughts, Courtney Peppernell 2017, by Lotte
The Way We Go + Preparing the Memorial Carving for Omama, Roy Villevoye 2012, by Sabrina Kamstra
1984, George Orwell 1949, by Claire
4th Floor To Mildness, Pipilotti Rist 2018, by Romy
A Bigger Splash, 1967 – David Hockney, door by Dirk van Weelden
Body Worlds by Talisha
Danaë, 1907 – Gustav Klimt by Hyunsuh Kim
Der Wanderer über dem Nebelmeer, Caspar David Friedrich circa 1817, by Janice
Flower construction #46, Anne ten Donkelaar, by Anna & Bastian
Intocht van Jezus Christus te Brussel, James Ensor 1888, by Peter Vandermeersch
Marres Postcard, by Aye Myo Sat
My Mothers Shawl, by Anahita
Radio, Jean Tinguely 1962, by Zeger Reyers
The Water Lilies – The Clouds, Claude Monet, 1922, by Lily