DAVENPORT, IOWA.- The Figge Art Museum remains at the forefront of acquiring works that not only complement the museum’s collection but also elevate it, embracing the intersection of art and digital technology. Two new acquisitions mark an exciting step forward in the museum’s ongoing effort to showcase innovative art forms that connect with today’s audiences.
On view in the Figge’s Quad City Bank & Trust Grand Lobby and Wintergarden are two immersive digital installations by Tokyo-based art collective teamLab. Proliferating Immense Life—Dawn and Dusk, A Whole Year per Year, a stunning digital cascade of botanical forms that shifts with the seasons, time of day, and even the movement of those nearby. In the Wintergarden, a mesmerizing virtual waterfall flows in three-dimensional space in Universe of Water Particles.
teamLab is an internationally renowned art collective that explores the intersection of art, science, technology, and the natural world. Comprising artists, programmers, engineers, CG animators, mathematicians, and architects, teamLab’s interdisciplinary practice seeks to deepen our understanding of the relationship between the self and the world and to develop new forms of visual perception.
The acquisition of these works was made possible by a generous gift from the estate of James W. Victor, honoring his vibrant life as a financial advisor and philanthropist in the Quad Cities for nearly fifty years. His enduring commitment to community, curiosity, engagement, learning, and family is beautifully reflected in this donation.
These fascinating works will provide visitors with an innovative way to explore complex themes, such as the enigmatic nature of water, the cycle of life, and the interconnectedness of all things. The works respond to their environment, including the presence of visitors, creating a unique experience that changes with each interaction.
Universe of Water Particles is a virtual 3D waterfall inspired by teamLab’s concept of “Ultrasubjective Space,” a self-coined term that refers to the rendering of space and depth found in premodern Japanese painting. Flowing lines of computer-generated water particles mimic the physics and fluid dynamics of a waterfall, simulating the vital movement of real water that dissolves the boundaries between nature and ourselves.
Proliferating Immense Live – Dawn and Dusk, A Whole year per Year is an interactive artwork that evolves with the time of day and the seasons in the surrounding location, creating a truly site-specific piece. Flowers bloom, scatter, and respond to visitors’ movements, creating a space where the viewer, the city, and the artwork coexist. Exemplifying “Ultrasubjective Space,” the installation removes fixed viewpoints, allowing visitors to feel fully immersed in the digital environment.
“At the Figge, our mission is to bring art and people together,” said Figge Executive Director Melissa Mohr. “We are profoundly thankful for the Victor family’s generosity, which honors James Victor’s lifelong commitment to this community. Gifts like this don’t just safeguard the museum’s future—they help chart its direction, allowing us to introduce groundbreaking digital works into our collection. Only a small number of museums in the world hold pieces like these, and we’re thrilled to share them here in the Quad Cities.”
Located in the Figge’s Grand Lobby and Wintergarden, these works invite curiosity and exploration while capturing imagination and fostering connection. Planned programming will deepen engagement, with offerings that include classes on digital art and coding as well as scholarly presentations exploring the significance of these works and their place within art history.
Whether you love art or are visiting the museum for the first time, these groundbreaking works make the Figge a destination for innovative art experiences that will continue to inspire and captivate audiences for years to come.
teamlab is an international art collective. Their collaborative practice seeks to navigate the confluence of art, science, technology, and the natural world. Through art, the interdisciplinary group of specialists, including artists, programmers, engineers, CG animators, mathematicians, and architects, aims to explore the relationship between the self and the world, and new forms of perception. teamLab’s works are in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne; Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney; Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide; National Gallery of Australia, Canberra; Amos Rex, Helsinki; Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles; Asian Art Museum, San Francisco; Borusan Contemporary Art Collection, Istanbul; and Asia Society Museum, New York, among others.
