The historic Sint-Janshospitaal Museum in Bruges has unveiled a digital experience showing the life and works of the Flemish Primitive, Hans Memling. The Closer to Memling exhibition is an interactive AV journey featuring Leyard LED display technology, creating an immersive environment in the museum's medieval attic space.
The installation work began in February 2024 and was completed in December 2024, opening to the public on December 10. The project represents a collaboration between Musea Brugge and digital experience specialists Ocular, who worked alongside creative partners Studio Louter, Shosho, Wondering, Atento and Chris Pype to develop the concept and implementation.
Following previous successful digital installations at the museum, Ocular was entrusted with the task of transforming the historic attic into an engaging, accessible space that could appeal to visitors of all ages. "Through brainstorming sessions with the client, we determined the layout, content, and interactive elements,” explains Nicolas Vanden Avenne, Ocular Founder and CEO. “We built a full-scale trial installation where both adults and children could test the applications, ensuring a smooth implementation.
"We were looking for a way to bring the story of the artist Hans Memling to the museum in an accessible way. It was important that both young and old were triggered to go into the attic of the museum to learn about Memling's life."
The centrepiece of the exhibition is a striking 4.5 x 4.5 metre Leyard NEV1.9 LED videowall, which enables visitors to explore Memling's masterpieces in detail while preserving the historic integrity of the 800-year-old building.