TeamLab Borderless: this museum full of digital art changes every minute

Digital artworks in motion

The digital artworks in 'TeamLab Borderless' are constantly changing. Visitor interactions also influence the works. Therefore, every visitor gets a unique experience. According to Takashi Kudo, a member of TeamLab, the philosophy behind their work focuses on exploring the relationship between humans and the world. "That relationship, like our art, is always in motion," Kudo explains. "Through our artworks, we try to discover something new in that relationship."

Record number of visitors

TeamLab's art is popular. In 2018, the artist collective opened the doors of a museum in Tokyo. In its first year, it attracted no less than 2.5 million visitors. And even though the museum closed a few years later, the Japanese predecessor to 'TeamLab Borderless' was, during its short existence, the most visited museum in the world dedicated to an artist or, in this case, a collective.

Interaction engages visitors

Upon entering 'TeamLab Borderless,' you step into a space without clear directions or routes. Artworks move freely through the space and respond to the presence of visitors. One example is a room with flowers that changes. Kudo explains: "A room may be filled with flowers, but after a quarter of an hour, it's completely different. Then there are entirely different flowers, or the room is filled with butterflies."

In this way, visitors influence the work: "If you're in a room and flowers appear around you, they'll accelerate their life cycle if you move," says Kudo. This creates a direct connection between the visitor and the artwork, blurring the boundaries between spectators and art.

By eliminating fixed structures and promoting interaction, TeamLab invites visitors to actively participate in the art experience. This interactive element can inspire other organizations looking for ways to engage their audiences on a deeper and more meaningful level.

Botanists and architects

There are various specializations within the team, such as software engineers, hardware engineers, animators, mathematicians, botanists, and even architects.

Podcast host Anic van Damme asked Takashi Kudo what it's like to work in such an interdisciplinary team. 

TeamLab has exhibitions all over the world, such as in New York and Singapore. In the Netherlands, the first permanent European exhibition is being developed in Utrecht as part of the new construction project 'Nowhere.' Not many details are known about it yet.

Kudo explains what is needed for a collaboration. "We expect sufficient budget, time, and enough freedom to express ourselves," says Kudo. "These conditions ensure that the quality and integrity of our art are preserved."

Digital art, like that of TeamLab, often requires more time and budget than traditional art forms but, according to Kudo, offers a unique and transformative experience for visitors in return.

Curious about the episode of 'Cultuurshift' where a panel of Dutch tech and culture experts discuss this innovative museum? In this video, you can watch the entire podcast episode.