Going beyond the paintings on the wall, visitors of the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art can now experience art in both sight and sound.
The museum offers free iPod tours to all visitors through a collaboration with OU Information Technology and Apple Inc., said Michael Bendure, museum communication director.
“The museum’s first audio tour utilizing iPod Touch technology explores how artists have used paint in innovative ways,” Bendure said.
Hosted by museum staff members, the iPod tour tells the stories behind selected works of art and the artists themselves. To pick up an iPod, which comes with headphones and a lanyard, visitors must leave a valid driver’s license and major credit card at the front desk, he said. Visitors also can download the MP3 to their own digital players in advance.
A print version of the tour also is available at the front desk for the hearing impaired, Bendure said.
The tour focuses on two parts of the museum’s permanent collection: the Weitzenhoffer galleries of French Impressionism and the Hobson Family Gallery of contemporary art, he said.
“Visitors to the Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art have always enjoyed the finest in world class art,” said Ghislain d’Humières, museum director. “Now, thanks to this collaboration with OU’s IT department, visitors can experience even more by getting a digital tour and learning the history behind many of the most popular works in our fine collections.”
OU IT CIO Dennis Aebersold said he is excited about this partnership.
“The accessibility and flexibility of technology enables us to connect with art in amazing new ways," Aebersold said. "Creating synergies between art and technology has become critically important for engaging younger generations in the arts."
The new iPod tour has been produced through a grant from the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Foundation of Houston, Bendure said.
If you’re going: Download the audio in advance from ou.edu/fjjma under “About” and “iPod Tours”
Cost: Free to all OU students with a current ID; $2 for OU faculty/staff.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
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soonerboomers 1 year, 10 months ago
Waste of money. Also, what kind of garbage move involves charging the faculty and staff. Great respect for your people OU.