NUMIX LABfollowing the first edition of the Francophone digital immersion laboratory.

The first European edition of NUMIXLAB was held from November 29 to December 3, 2021. Created and organized by Images du réel, Xn Québec and {CORRESPONDANCES DIGITALES]NUMIXLAB is an event that brings together French-speaking creative studios and cultural institutions (from Canada, Luxembourg, Belgium and Tunisia) to accelerate networking, create cooperative ventures and federate a French-speaking community around digital immersion. Rich in stimulating encounters and exchanges, the event brought together 106 participants to share their challenges, practices and projects. Here’s a summary of this week-long immersion in digital immersion.

1. Monday to Wednesday: a 3-day itinerant bus tour to discover the innovative projects of various Parisian cultural players

From Monday to Wednesday, a 50-strong French-speaking delegation had the opportunity to tour Paris by bus, discovering the innovative projects of various Parisian cultural players.

The delegation visited the Bibliothèque nationale de France, Hôtel de Sully (headquarters of the Centre des monuments nationaux), Conciergerie, Musée de la Libération, IESA, Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (for the Sensory Oddyssey exhibition), the Palais de la Porte Dorée aquarium, Centquatre, Musée de l’Armée and Atelier des Lumières. She also met with representatives of the CNC,Art Explora, the Réunion des musées nationaux-Grand Palais, the organization of the 2024 Olympic Games and the JAM workshop (at Fluctuart).

These visits were an opportunity to discover emblematic cultural institutions for our French-speaking partners, and to discuss the modalities, obstacles and opportunities for designing innovative immersive projects with them. The testimonies of those in charge of digital technology in the institutions (such as Roei Amit (RMN-GP), Abla Benmiloud Faucher (CMN), Stéphanie Targui (MNHN)) entered into dialogue with those of the members of the delegation and their partners: ICONEM, Sensory Oddyssey, Saola, Ateliers ATHEM et JAM, CREO, Histovery, Realcast, Lucid Realities, and so on. These dialogues provided an opportunity to compare know-how and expertise, and to sketch out promising prospects for future collaborations.

It was with this in mind that, in parallel with the tour and all these meetings, two “network” meetings were also held to help identify opportunities between creative studios and cultural institutions.

Following these various events, two days of workshops enabled us to pursue our exchanges in a format more conducive to intense collective reflection between professionals, to refine the issues involved in such collaborations.

2. Thursday to Friday: two days at the Carnavalet museum to actively participate in 3 workshops

Firmly focused on a concrete approach to the challenges of digital immersion in the museum and heritage sector (virtual reality, augmented reality or immersive digital exhibitions), the members of the delegation joined other French cultural institutions and creative studios for two days to hold 3 workshops to share their practices at each phase of a project (whether during its creation, production or operation).

Workshop 1 – cross-disciplinary co-creation

The workshop began with a pitch session to present the activities of various creative studios:

• Normal Studioa Montreal-based company presented by Philippe Belhumeur (creative director and partner) has created over 300 multimedia environments in Canada and abroad for cultural institutions, brands and immersive scenography projects in the performing arts and contemporary music.
• 3DNet info3D school and studio presented by Mohamed Zoghlami (International Consultant in Strategy & Development), a pioneer in training for creative, digital, immersive and intelligent content production in Africa. He has trained over 15,000 students in Africa.
• Emissiveagency and producer of immersive expeditions, represented by its CEO, Fabien Barati. He presented various projects undertaken by the agency with Musée du Louvre (Mona Lisa Beyond the glass), with Lucid Realities andInstitut du monde arabe (the Enemy) and with the Cité de l’architecture and Dassault System (Scan Pyramids).

Following this pitch session, a panel discussion moderated by Stéphanie Targuiin charge of innovative digital and audiovisual projects at the Museum national d’histoire naturelle, addressed a range of issues and limits linked to the co-design of immersive experiences in the museum and heritage sector. On this subject:

• Saskia Bakhuysin charge of audiovisual and digital productions at the Musée d’Orsay, spoke about recent projects such as the‘obsession des Nymphéas at the Musée de l’Orangerie in collaboration with Lucid Realities and, more recently, La petite danseuse at the Musée d’Orsay.
• Delphine Rabat, project manager of the scenography agency CassonMann spoke of the challenges involved in creating the pathways for Lascaux IV and the Musée national de la Marine (opening 2023), emphasizing the need for experimentation and co-design with the public.

• Thomas Payetteco-founder and creative director of Canadian studio Mirari presented a number of recent projects in the public space, including Duo for example.

• Etienne TellierDirector of OperationsIconem then presented a project co-produced with the Réunion des musées nationaux: “Venice Revealed”. This project will be deployed in 2022 in a still-secret location.

Following these presentations, a group workshop session enabled participants to identify the obstacles and best practices that facilitate the co-creation of immersive experiences (whether these are aimed at the public space, in the form of virtual reality experiences, or immersive exhibitions in museums or other venues open to the public).

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE REFLECTIONS PRODUCED DURING WORKSHOP 1

Workshop 2 – Co-producing a multi-partner immersive experience

The workshop began with a pitch session to showcase production solutions from :

• Ubisoftpresented by Amy Jenkins (Strategic Alliances Director), who is in charge of developing licenses for the re-use of video game images in the cultural and educational sectors.
• Creoa Canadian creative studio founded by Caroline Julien (founder), which develops playful and educational experiences and devices in the cultural and scientific sectors.

Following the pitch session, a panel discussion moderated by Jenny Thibaultgeneral and artistic director of the Society for Arts and Technology (SAT) addressed a range of issues related to the co-production and co-financing of immersive experiences in the museum and heritage sector, including :

• The creation of a venue dedicated to immersive exhibitions in Montreal : Oasis Immersion recently created by Denys Lavignethe space’s president and co-founder;

• XR / VR / AR productions supported by France TV presented by Jeanne Marchalothead of the France TV Storylab (like Lady Sapiens or Degas’ Little Dancer);

• Support (networking, financing, co-production) offered by Région Grand Est via the regional innovation agency Grand E-nove described by Marc BourhisFilière Image/ICC Projects Director.
• The assistance and support offered by the Film Fund Luxembourg presented by Carole KremerCreative Europe Desk – MEDIA, in support, production, distribution and training for audiovisual production projects.

Following these presentations, a group workshop session enabled participants to identify the obstacles and best practices facilitating the co-production of immersive experiences.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE REFLECTIONS PRODUCED DURING WORKSHOP 2

Workshop 3: co-exploiting an immersive experience

The workshop began with a pitch session to showcase the projects of :

• AV Extended presented by Nicolas Tochet (co-founder), highlighting the abundant activities of the Château de Beaugency (videomapping, residencies, artlab, immersive exhibitions) and the agency.
• Musée de la civilisation de Québec with Gontran Levesque (Director of Digital Engagement and Technologies/Digital), who and his team work with the museum’s experimental laboratory to create innovative exhibitions.

Following this pitch session, a panel discussion moderated by Antoine Roland, founder of {CORRESPONDANCES DIGITALES]s founder Antoine Roland, discussed a range of operating issues related to :

• Immersive exhibitions developed by Jam Capsule and evoked by Marleen de Backergeneral manager.

• Multi-format experiences (documentary, VR experience at the Paléosite and the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, distribution in immersive rooms of the DreamAway network) implemented by Lucid Realities around Lady Sapiens and presented on this occasion by Alexandre Rouxdistribution manager.

• VR experiences offered in a variety of locations thanks to the creation of a VR case (VROO) presented by Camille Lopatofounder of Diversion Cinema.

• Immersive works exhibited in public spaces and deployed internationally by Guillaume Aniortéinternational development manager for the Quartier des spectacles international development.

Following these presentations, a group workshop session enabled participants to identify the obstacles and best practices that facilitate the co-creation of immersive experiences (whether these are aimed at the public space, in the form of virtual reality experiences, or immersive exhibitions in museums or other venues open to the public).

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE DISCUSSIONS AT WORKSHOP 3

After this eventful Parisian edition, the next one will take place in May in Montreal, with plenty of opportunities to meet and exchange ideas!

A huge thank you to all the participants and to our various partners who made this edition possible and contributed to its success: venues, financial partners, industry professionals.