iCubist is an interactive application designed to explore Analytic Cubism, a term used to describe the groundbreaking artworks created by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque from 1910 to 1912.

The app was developed to complement the exhibition Picasso and Braque: The Cubist Experiment, 1910–1912, displayed at the Kimbell Art Museum from May 29 through August 21, 2011, and at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art from September 17, 2011, through January 8, 2012.

Features & Experience:

iCubist allows users to engage with the works of Picasso and Braque in unprecedented detail. The app offers the ability to manipulate a sequence of digitized spectral images that display the paintings under different light frequencies (such as ultraviolet and infrared), unveiling intricate details not visible to the naked eye. These unique perspectives provide insights into the creative decisions made by the artists during the development of their compositions.

Interactive Deconstruction:

The app also features an interactive activity where users can deconstruct a Cubist composition and attempt to reconstruct it. This hands-on experience provides an in-depth understanding of the intellectual and creative processes used by Picasso and Braque. By physically manipulating the visual elements, users gain an appreciation for the artists’ compositional choices—whether to create balance, suggest movement, or emphasize certain motifs within their paintings. This exercise highlights key elements within the compositions and conveys their significance.

Historical Context & Analysis:

An illustrated timeline traces the evolution of Cubism, featuring archival photographs of the artists, their contemporaries, and reproductions of pivotal works from this period. Users can delve into the history of Cubism and gain contextual knowledge that deepens their appreciation for these revolutionary artworks.

Comparative Analysis:

The app includes a comparative viewing tool, enabling users to analyze digital reproductions of paintings by both Picasso and Braque. By double-tapping on markers, users can access explanations of the defining features of each artist’s style, helping them distinguish between Picasso’s and Braque’s hands, even during their period of close collaboration.

View and study works with a level of detail and precision never before possible for museum audiences. Users have the ability to manipulate a succession of digitized spectral images that show the artworks at different light frequencies (ultraviolet a…

Deconstruct a Cubist composition and attempt to put it back together. By rebuilding these composite reproductions, users learn first-hand about the intellectual and creative processes employed by Picasso and Braque in their paintings. The physical a…

Explore the history of Cubism by means of an illustrated timeline that includes vintage photography of the artists and their friends and reproductions of key works of art.

Compare digital reproductions of paintings by the featured artists, Picasso and Braque, by double tapping on markers that pop up to explain key aspects of their individual styles. This interactive activity will help users exercise connoisseurship to…

Concept: Eik Kahng
Designer & Developer: Reza Ali
Output: Installation & iOS iPad Application (Objective-C, iOS, C++, openFrameworks)
IT Support: Joseph Price
Museums: Santa Barbara Museum of Art, Kimbell Art Museum
Year: 2011