MKdW on tour

Stretching across thousands of kilometers, the North Sea's western coast spans from the Netherlands, through Germany and Denmark, all the way to Norway. Nestled in the heart of this region, on the island of Föhr, lies the Museum Kunst der Westküste (MKdW). This museum is dedicated to the art that has emerged along the western coast from the Romantic period to the present day – art that is deeply connected to the natural and cultural landscape, transcending political boundaries.
With the "MKdW on tour" app, the museum enhances awareness of this interconnectedness. It embodies the vision of using art to virtually bridge the geographical distance between nations and their people, making the rich diversity accessible from anywhere.
The app’s foundation is the museum‘s collection, featuring works of painting, graphics, and photography. These pieces are linked to an interactive map, connecting them to the coastal locations where they were created or are thematically rooted. With just a fingertip, users can access multilingual information about the artworks, artists, and locations. This can be explored based on personal interest or along curated "art trails" allowing users – whether on-site or remotely – to navigate the western coast and discover it from various artistic perspectives. These "art trails" are frequently developed in collaboration with other art institutions along the western coast, connecting collections and giving the app cross-institutional significance.
A unique participatory feature invites users to engage in their own observations and interactions by means of augmented reality. When they encounter scenes resembling those in the artworks, they can snap photos with an integrated camera function to allow for an immediate comparison between the real-life scenery and its historical depiction, expanding the perception of reality to include its historical dimension. They then can be shared through the app, fostering a dialogue about art, coastal experiences, and travel along the coast, thereby strengthening a sense of community.
„MKdW on tour“ was funded by the German Federal Cultural Foundation, which is committed to promoting innovative and international programmes and projects in the arts and culture. Today, the app is among the highest-rated museum apps worldwide.