Who: FRAMELESS – Marble Arch
When: 18th February 2025
What: Interactive art experience
How long: 2 hours
Introduction
FRAMELESS in London’s Marble Arch offers an immersive art experience, with four galleries that foster an interactive environment. With an ever-changing backdrop full of colour and imagery, it presents a distinct way to experience art on an alternative scale.
On the 18th of February, SENsational Tutors visited a “Chilled Session” at FRAMELESS along with some invited families who were keen to experience a more relaxed and inclusive session. All attendees were in agreement that the multi-sensory experience provided within each Gallery was unlike anything we had previously encountered. Throughout our case study, we will explore the different “areas” in Frameless and how they were a success for those who visited.
Chilled Sessions
There is a spacious Café Baron entrance to the area, where visitors can sit, relax and take in the atmosphere. A vast area is set in the far corner, set purposefully for the chilled sessions with the additions of sensory lighting and a dark tent, providing a stillness to promote sensory calm.
Running half-termly, the Chilled Session offers a space that is inclusive, safe and non-judgmental. Hand-dryers are turned off and loud noise is reduced. Fidget toys are provided by approachable staff who are there to answer any questions.
With normal attendance numbers reduced to half and full wheelchair access, the neurodivergent community are given freedom to relax in their surroundings.
The first of the four Galleries can be seen to the right of the Café Bar. Children can choose the order in which they view the Galleries, which gives them a sense of control over their experience.
The World Around Us
The first space that is encountered: “The World Around Us”, displays changing imagery from the 16th century, including contributions from painters like Rembrandt and Van Gogh. Scenes, sound and tempo change to create movement from one part of the world to another, matched with walls that transform into evolving outdoor panoramas.
With reduced numbers for the morning, the SEND community are not over-stimulated but are met with a tranquil level of engagement. They can soak up the visuals and look around, anticipating what may come next. The changes in scenery move children from one sensory experience to another; they can interact with their families as they absorb the imagery their way, with the independence to explore their physical, emotional or verbal responses.
Beyond Reality
“Beyond Reality” creates a surreal, spiritual atmosphere through its shifting floors and backdrops, encouraging the mind to transcend to potential new thoughts. The options are endless, with a physical space that displays continual transformations within a world of possibilities.
Neurodivergent young people can be seen engaging in their surroundings, gazing, observing and wondering. The mesmerising gallery encourages cognitive reflection and is influenced by surrealists such as Salvador Dali and Henry Rousseau.
Families are free to sit on the floor against the wall, pondering a new world as they interact with each other. Parents can watch their children explore within a secure environment.
Colour In Motion
In the third gallery: “Colour in Motion”, the sensory, pixelated arrays of pastels and colour portray three movements in the impressionist art period. Guests are wrapped within colour-changing displays, inspired by famous artists including Van Gogh and Delaunay.
The regulated sensory input notably helps children focus, concentrate and process.
Via interactive technology, they can communicate verbally or non-verbally, impacting physically on what they can see, touching floor images with their hands, body or feet. With contemporary classical tracks that complement the paintings, this gallery provides empowering potential for those with heightened sensory needs, who can liberally move to intermingle with and influence their natural world.
The Art of Abstraction
An array of shapes, colours and contours are displayed in a gallery set out like a maze of discovery. As art entered a modern era in the early 20th century, images in this area represent the ideas of creators like Kandinsky and Mondrian. Conventional art is set aside, allowing a new perspective to invite the possible discovery of new inner thoughts.
Families can witness a maze of abstract art; children can react and enquire about what they see without the potential distraction of noise that may trigger their needs or change their experience.
Maria’s Family
Maria attended the Chilled Session along with her husband and two children, and provided feedback about their time at the venue: “It was absolutely incredible; we benefitted so much from the space available and the children were able to enjoy the full experience; there was plenty of room for them to move around as they pleased and become totally immersed in their surroundings”.
Recalling each encounter, Maria remembered her children reacting to the mirrors in ‘The World Around Us’, and then moving on to ‘Colour in Motion’, Maria reflected, “They loved the floor, the interaction; being able to change their physical world and seeing the leaves fly around. They were quite carried away with it and didn’t really speak at the time; they just watched and took everything in.”
The animations stood out as a highlight; Maria especially noted her children’s reaction when the backdrop images were repeated for a second run. She commented that after leaving the venue, once in the car, they asked a lot of questions which led to an animated and energetic discussion.
“The music suited the atmosphere; it wasn’t too loud at all and seemed to enhance the experience. We spent some time in the Café Bar afterwards to wind down. It is a lovely space, and the children were lost in their memories as well as the taste of pink lemonade!”
End Of The Chilled Session
After spending two hours at the venue, Maria noted the increased number being admitted to the regular session that followed. She reiterated her appreciation that the space was emptier during the Chilled Session, acknowledging how much it enhanced their experience.
For more information visit FRAMELESS | The Ultimate Immersive Art Experience
