Design Case: Gallery of Lost Art

Design Case: Scottish Studio Finds Ways to Recover Lost Art

The Gallery of Lost Art was an immersive, online exhibition that brought the experience of lost, stole or destroyed artworks to thousands of people worldwide.

The project was designed by ISO, a content design and development studio that has expanded from its Glasgow base, and curated by Tate, the museum organisation. Other partners included Channel 4, the broadcaster, and the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

The site allowed visitors to access materials - from film interviews with living artists such as Jake Chapman, blogs, interviews, and essays that told the stories of lost works created by over 40 artists during the twentieth century, including such figures as Marcel Duchamp, Pablo Picasso, Joan Miró, Willem De Kooning, Rachel Whiteread and Tracey Emin. Reflecting the nature of its subject, the exhibition only lasted for a year - before expiring itself.

Before disappearing, however, the gallery attracted an estimated 102,184 visits from people in 153 countries.

The project also generated over 900 articles across print and online media. The Gallery of Lost art was recognised by a wide range of organisations and awards for its unique design and innovation in interactivity. It achieved international recognition from Austin’s SXSW Interactive Awards to a screening at Amsterdam’s International Documentary Film Festival as well as collecting a number of UK design and museum exhibition awards.

ISO includes live action directors, 2D and 3D animators, graphic and interface designers, scriptwriters, software developers, social media managers and producers.

Formed in Glasgow in 1999, it continues to work out of Scotland for clients across the UK and internationally. Clients have included the BBC, Discovery, MTV, the British Council, Creative Scotland, Siemens, Sony and the Qatar Foundation.