June 2, 2021 | By Bronwen Largier
Australia’s first permanent digital art gallery will open on September 1 this year at Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre (MCEC).
THE LUME, which has been scheduled for launch in Melbourne since before the pandemic, is an immersive projection experience across 3,000m2 of floor space and scaling four storeys in height, created by the Melbourne based but globally operating company Grande Experiences.
Chief Executive of MCEC Peter King say the partnership with Grande Experiences is “possibly the most exciting opportunity we have been involved with for a long time”.
“It is literally world leading experience technology that we can use with our own industry partners along with providing a much needed new attraction for Melbourne.
“THE LUME is another way MCEC is using our space in unconventional ways, to ensure we keep innovating, evolving and making an impact where it counts.
“This partnership provides an opportunity to bring people back to Melbourne and is helping to drive economic activity back in the heart of our city,” said King.
Founder of Grande Experiences Bruce Peterson said the company was “thrilled to establish this iconic, new, cultural attraction to join Melbourne’s beloved art scene”.
The first exhibition in the new gallery will be a “reimagining” of 3,000 paintings, sketches, letters, photos and floral works from Vincent van Gogh.
The multi-sensory space will also be available for corporate and conference groups for bespoke cocktail and dinner events.