The Lume, a high-tech digital art exhibition space located within the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, has officially ceased operations after a five-year tenure. This closure, effective at the end of February, concludes a period marked by both popular immersive displays and significant institutional challenges. The museum indicates that this move is intended to pave the way for a new, ambitious exhibition that aligns with its contemporary art objectives and seeks to redefine audience engagement.
Established in 2021, The Lume transformed the fourth-floor contemporary art galleries of the Indianapolis Museum of Art into a venue for large-scale digital presentations. Throughout its operation, it hosted a series of highly attended immersive experiences, including "Van Gogh Alive," "Monet & Friends Alive," and "Dalí Alive," which captivated visitors with their innovative visual and auditory elements. The final exhibition showcased at The Lume was "Connection: Land, Water, Sky — Art & Music from Indigenous Australians," concluding its run on February 28.
The museum communicated to the Indianapolis Business Journal that the discontinuation of The Lume is part of a broader strategy to introduce a groundbreaking exhibition. While specific details about this forthcoming project remain undisclosed, the institution aims to deepen the audience's interaction with art and reinforce its commitment to contemporary artistic expression. This strategic shift suggests a re-evaluation of how Newfields utilizes its spaces and curates its artistic offerings to foster a more profound and impactful visitor experience.
Grande Experiences, an Australian firm specializing in immersive art and science installations, was the creative force behind The Lume. The company also inaugurated a similar Lume venue in Melbourne in 2021, which subsequently closed its doors last summer. Additionally, Grande Experiences manages the Museo Leonardo da Vinci in Rome, promoting it as an immersive cultural experience rather than a traditional museum.
The inception of The Lume in mid-2021 coincided with considerable internal turmoil and public debate at the museum. Earlier that year, the then-president of Newfields, Charles Venable, stepped down following widespread criticism over a job description that implied a preference for maintaining a "traditional, core, white art audience." His successor, Colette Pierce Burnette, who took office a year later, resigned after only 15 months. Belinda Tate, appointed in 2023 to the directorship role that originally ignited the controversy, remains a key figure within the museum's leadership.
The closure of The Lume marks a significant pivot for the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields, signaling an end to an era of large-scale digital immersion. While popular with the public, the initiative was intertwined with ongoing discussions and changes within the museum's administration. This decision opens a new chapter, promising a fresh approach to contemporary art and visitor engagement, as the institution endeavors to evolve its identity and mission.