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Mama.Media x Museum Boijmans van Beuningen: Case Study 

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen is one of the most renowned art museums in the Netherlands, housing a rich collection of paintings, sculptures, and design pieces. With a mission to create engaging and educational experiences for its visitors, the museum sought digital solutions that could bring its collection to life in new, interactive ways.

Over the past two years, Mama.Media has partnered with Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen to design and implement a range of digital tools that enhance both the visitor experience and the museum's internal operations.

The Challenge
Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen needed a digital solution that could:

  • Hosting the entire film and video collection on one platform. When opening of the new Boijmans Depot, this collection was presented as a permanent exhibit for all visitors, but the platform is also used online for various purposes worldwide.
  • Archive and organize 14 TB of historical and contemporary footage into a well-structured repository for educational and research purposes.
  • Create custom applications that engage visitors through interactive experiences.
  • Develop tools that allow visitors to explore and interact with the museum’s art collection using AI and image recognition technologies.
  • Provide high-quality video and film viewing experiences in personal, dedicated spaces.
  • Enable curators to easily program and showcase films within the museum’s cinema hall.

The Solution

  Mama.Media collaborated with Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen to create a comprehensive digital ecosystem that met their goals:

  •  Digital Archive Setup: We developed a structured digital archive for 13 TB of historical and contemporary footage, making it accessible for educational programs and internal use. This well-organized repository allows the museum to store, categorize, and retrieve content efficiently.

  • Custom App Development: Mama.Media built four interactive applications that engage visitors with the museum’s collection in creative ways. These include:
  • Smart-Light Installation: We developed an app that uses high-resolution X-ray and infrared images to reveal hidden layers within famous paintings. This forensic tool allows visitors to uncover exciting and surprising details beneath the surface of iconic artworks, creating an enriching, behind-the-scenes experience.
  • Image Recognition & Voting App: Using AI and image recognition, we created a kiosk app that allows visitors to explore the museum’s collection of over 2,500 paintings by searching with keywords. Visitors can also vote for their favorite artworks, influencing future exhibitions by giving the museum insights into audience preferences.

  • Video Booths: We designed personal study cabins equipped with high-quality screens and headphones, allowing visitors and professionals to browse and watch the museum’s extensive collection of films and videos in a private, caprivating setting.

  • Cinema App: Mama.Media’s platform powers the programming of films shown in the museum’s Film Hall. Curators use the platform to schedule a rotating selection of high-quality films, ensuring that visitors can experience a diverse range of content in a dynamic and exciting environment.
Implementation Process

Mama.Media worked closely with Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen to deliver a range of digital tools and applications tailored to their unique needs:

  •  The digital archive was carefully structured and organized to support both internal use and educational programs.
  • Custom applications were developed to enhance visitor engagement, allowing them to interact with the museum’s collection through innovative tools like image recognition and the voting app.
  • The Mama.Media platform was designed to be user-friendly, allowing museum curators to easily program and manage the cinema app and interactive exhibits with minimal technical expertise.
  • Mama.Media provided training sessions to ensure that museum staff could effectively utilize the new digital tools and features, empowering them to manage the content and user experience with ease.  

Image in header and Image 2: Lotte van Stekelenburg

 Results

Our collaboration with Depot Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen has delivered tangible results, transforming the museum’s digital presence and increasing visitor engagement:

  • Enhanced Visitor Interaction: Custom apps and interactive kiosks have provided visitors with new ways to engage with the museum’s collection, from exploring hidden layers in paintings to voting for their favorite works. These digital experiences have deepened audience interaction and fostered a sense of connection with the museum.

  • Comprehensive Digital Archive: The well-organized digital archive has streamlined internal operations, making it easier for the museum to manage its vast collection of footage and resources, while also supporting educational initiatives.

  • Innovative Film Programming: The cinema app allows curators to showcase a rotating selection of films, ensuring that the museum offers a dynamic and diverse film experience to visitors, helping to elevate the museum’s reputation as a cultural hub for film and media.

  • Empowered Museum Curation: The voting feature in the image recognition app gives visitors a voice in the curation process, allowing the museum to tailor future exhibitions based on audience preferences, thus making the visitor experience more interactive and inclusive.

Testimonial

Over the course of two years, I had a great experience working with Rob and the Mama Media team. They have proved to be a valuable partner in building immersive tools and exploring new possibilities for our digital projects. The participatory installation we have built together for our "Lievelingen" (Favourites) exhibition, was received well by public and was exemplary for how digital technology can be used to find new forms of engagement with our visitors."

 - Gianni Antonia, Curator of Education, Museum Boijmans van Beuningen

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