Since we launched our first Pocket Gallery in 2018, people all over the world have used the augmented reality (AR) feature to explore virtual art galleries ranging from Vermeer to Indian miniatures. With many of us missing the opportunities to explore, we have now collaborated with cultural institutions including the Jean Pigozzi Collection and J. Paul Getty Museum to create three new Pocket Galleries – one of which includes a brand new audio guide feature. Just open the camera tab in the Google Arts & Culture app to get started.
The virtual exhibition space of Jean Pigozzi’s Pocket Gallery invites you to discover highlights from its African and Japanese collections featuring 40 of its most important artworks ranging from renowned painter Chéri Samba to emerging new talent. These treasures are frequently lent to museums across the globe, but until now have never had a dedicated building of their own, making this Pocket Gallery a truly unique space.
Inside the Pigozzi Pocket Gallery
You can learn more about this renowned collection with 19 stories and over 500 high-resolution images. Find out how Ndebele traditions inspired Esther Mahlangu or dive into the portraits of the world famous Malian photographer Seydou Keïta.
We have also collaborated to create a new and improved version of embedded content from Google Arts & Culture, allowing you to explore high resolution highlights of the collection directly on the Jean Pigozzi Collection of African Art website.
A new way to experience a virtual exhibition space is by using sound and narration – a feature we are testing first with the guided “Brushes with the World” Pocket Gallery. Here, in each room a narrator will give a short introduction as you follow along on a tour of larger-than-life artworks. Gaze upon immersive landscapes – from Georgia O’Keeffe’s dreamy depiction of Machu Picchu to Hokusai’s majestic vision of Mount Fuji – and take in the city views of Zaha Hadid’s London or Habeeb Andu’s Lagos. As you approach each masterpiece, you will hear a bespoke soundscape inspired by the locations and objects in the paintings. Some paintings are even accompanied by additional commentary to help you learn more along your voyage. Featuring artworks from 27 cultural partner institutions that depict scenes across 24 countries. This gallery is available now on Android and coming soon on iOS.
Together, with our partners, we are always experimenting to find new ways to bring people closer to art and culture and we hope these new Pocket Galleries will help you – not just to explore a diverse set of artworks, but also to feel connected to destinations around the world.
Find the galleries in the Camera Tab of the free Google Arts & Culture app for Android and iOS and jump inside to explore each one from there.