A New Immersive Experience on the World’s Most Advanced Screens
By British Artist Hannah Nijsten
Exploring Her Superpower of Synaesthesia
Opening Wednesday August 21st
Experience the merging of physical and digital for an incredible one-off display of the Mirrored Cube on 21st August at 3PM
Outernet London is proud to present Squares Cubed, a groundbreaking digital art piece by acclaimed British artist Hannah Nijsten. This captivating installation, opening Wednesday, 21st August, invites visitors to embark on a multisensory journey through the vivid, immersive world of Hannah’s unique artistic vision and her experience with synaesthesia. The display will be shown on the world’s most advanced screens at Outernet’s The Now Building right by Tottenham Court Road, and is completely free for audiences.
Hannah’s Synaesthesia Journey
Four years ago, Hannah experienced a ‘neurological wobble’ that left her highly sensitive to light and sound. Determined to regain her ability to walk and paint, she discovered that listening to classical music helped in her recovery. She began to experience synaesthesia, where specific musical frequencies created vivid colours and shapes in her vision. This unexpected journey added a new dimension to her artistic expression, intertwining her senses in a uniquely inspiring way.
The Experience
At the heart of this immersive journey lies the Mirrored Cube, a striking 5m x 5m installation in the centre of The Now Building that bridges the digital and physical realms of art. The entire display is also accompanied by a specially crafted musical composition, designed to initiate Hannah’s synaesthesia.
The display takes visitors through various stages of Hannah’s artistic and neurological journey. It begins with one of Hannah’s paintings transforming into an immersive tunnel of vivid colours, drawing audiences into her artistic vision. It then moves into a vast white room, which becomes the canvas for an extraordinary display. Multiple screens fragment and animate the inner workings of Hannah’s mind, coming alive with a symphony of thoughts, emotions, and inspirations, revealing what happened when her brain ‘stopped working’. The final stage is a beautiful representation of the rebuilding of Hannahs’ braincells and her journey towards newfound sensitivity, highlighting her extraordinary superpower – synaesthesia. The climax of the installation is an explosion of digital cubed balloons, each representing a fragment of Hannah’s artistic vision.
For the opening day only, an extremely special element will be added to the exhibition. At the exact moment the digital cubed balloons of the final image seemingly hit the ‘ground’ on the screens, identical physical cubed balloons will be launched from the Mirrored Cube in the centre of the space. This synchronised event merges the digital with the physical in a spectacular display – allowing those first audiences to fully engage and immerse themselves in the experience.
Artist Hannah Nijsten said:
As a contemporary abstract artist known for my physical paintings, I have observed a persistent disconnect between the physical and digital realms of art during exhibitions. This observation inspired the concept for my upcoming show at Outernet, a venue renowned for its impressive digital art displays on their 25 metre screens. My goal is to create a seamless bridge between these two worlds, fostering a more integrated and immersive artistic experience.
Director of Creative and Content – Outernet London, Alexandra Payne said:
Hannah is one the most impressive contemporary artists working today and we are thrilled to showcase Squares Cubed at Outernet London. The physical geometry and scale of The Now Building makes it the perfect canvas for Hannah to explore her narrative and take our audience on a truly multi sensory journey, opening a window into her experience with Synaesthesia. Over the past 18 months we have championed artists to bring their work to Outernet so that audiences can experience free public immersive art in the heart of central London.
Outernet London invites art enthusiasts, tourists, and locals alike to experience Squares Cubed. This digital art piece not only showcases Hannah’s extraordinary talent but also offers an immersive experience that transcends traditional boundaries of art and perception.
Notes for Editors
About Hannah Nijsten
Hannah Nijsten is a British contemporary artist whose creative practice spans various mediums, including painting and sculpture. Her recent collections explore how her Synaesthesia affects her mind and has translated the effects onto canvas. Other collections include themes of identity and the human experience, often incorporating elements of nature and technology. Hannah’s main focus in her creative activities is to push the boundaries of traditional art forms. She is known for her signature use of squares as a recurring motif, creating a unique visual language that is instantly recognisable and full of meaning.
One of Hannah’s main creative achievements to date was her exhibitions at The Saatchi Gallery in London in both 2021 and 2022. These exhibitions cemented Hannah’s reputation as a rising star in the contemporary art world. Hannah’s art collectors span the globe. Among them are multiple high-profile personalities, including Gary Lineker.
About Outernet London
Outernet London is the most visited cultural attraction in the UK and home to the most advanced screens in the world. Outernet is an immersive entertainment and culture district designed to provide experiences for audiences and brands the likes of which have never been seen before. Outernet features the world’s first of its kind space- The Now Building- containing an immense digital canvas: a 4-storey high, floor to ceiling, 360 degree, 16k screen surface. London will kick off a global roll out with sites planned in New York, LA and Europe.
