Frida Kahlo — A Vida de um Ícone
At the beginning of this semester, I visited the Frida Kahlo exhibition at the Immersivus Gallery in Lisbon. This immersive experience showcases the work and life of the renowned Mexican artist Frida Kahlo, offering a unique and engaging way to explore her artistic world. The exhibition combines visual art, technology, and storytelling, providing valuable insights into the design thinking process.
The Frida Kahlo exhibition features a 360-degree projection of Kahlo’s artwork, accompanied by a narrated biography that delves into her life, influences, and inspirations. The gallery setting, with floor-to-ceiling projections, allows visitors to feel as if they are stepping into the artist’s world. I chose this specific experience because I admire Frida Kahlo’s art and her ability to express her emotions and experiences through her work and I was curious to see how the gallery would transform her paintings into an immersive experience.
At the exhibition, I was particularly captivated by a digital art projection featuring Frida Kahlo, surrounded by six bubbles that evolved throughout the presentation (see picture). This piece provided a vivid representation of the challenges she faced throughout her life and how she managed to flourish despite adversity. The piece skillfully used color and composition to convey the various emotions and challenges that Frida faced in different phases of her life. Each bubble represented a distinct aspect of her life, such as her physical pain, tumultuous relationship with Diego Rivera, and political activism. Despite these challenges, the central figure of Frida Kahlo appeared strong and radiant, symbolizing her ability to transform her hardships into creative expression.
The exhibition’s immersive experience connects to design thinking in several ways. Firstly, design thinking is a human-centered approach to problem-solving, emphasizing empathy, experimentation, and iteration. The gallery’s immersive exhibitions illustrates the power of empathy in creating engaging experiences. The immersive presentation of Kahlo’s self-portrait encourages me to consider her perspective and emotions, fostering a deeper understanding of her art. This relates to the empathy aspect of design thinking, where understanding the user’s needs and feelings is crucial for designing effective solutions.
Secondly, the Gallery’s innovative approach demonstrates the importance of pushing boundaries and exploring new ways to engage with users. By combining visual art with technology and storytelling, the gallery pushes the boundaries of traditional art experiences and offers a fresh, engaging way to appreciate the works of renowned artists.
Additionally, the immersive exhibition exemplifies the iterative nature of design thinking. The blending of various art forms, technology, and narratives creates a dynamic, ever-evolving experience that continually adapts to engage the audience. The exhibitions inspired me to embrace iteration and remain open to feedback and improvement in my own design thinking process.
Lastly, Kahlo’s ability to convey her emotions and experiences through her art serves as a powerful example of storytelling. By attending this exhibition, I was inspired to incorporate storytelling into my own design process, using it to create impactful and emotionally resonant solutions.
The Frida Kahlo exhibition at the Immersivus Gallery Lisboa was an inspiring and enlightening experience that not only deepened my appreciation for Kahlo’s artwork but also provided valuable insights for my design thinking journey. It was a vivid reminder of the importance of stepping outside our comfort zones and seeking inspiration from various fields, as it can significantly enhance our creative process and lead to innovative solutions.
If you have not been able to go the exhibition yet, I recommend going and immersing yourself in this experience!
… just a heads up: most of the exhibition is outside or in large tents. Therefore I recommend to dress warmly!
