Ideum collaborated with exhibit designers and curators at the New Mexico Museum of Art, as well as other local artists, to create a distinctive prelude for Gustave Baumann: The Artist’s Environment, an exhibition exploring the master printmaker’s connection to the land and people of New Mexico. This digital exhibit recreates Baumann’s whimsical and comedic marionette performances, providing a theatrical introduction to the artist's work.
Gustave Baumann first came to New Mexico in 1918 and has since become one of the most beloved artists and cultural figures in Santa Fe. Best known for his enchanting woodblock prints, Baumann was a prodigious artist and creative who left behind an enormous legacy that also included painting, sculpture, drawing, marionettes, and furniture. Gustave Baumann: The Artist’s Environment will provide a comprehensive study of Baumann’s artistic output and offer a close look at how he engaged the physical, cultural, and creative environment in which he worked. Surveying all periods of his artistic career and organized thematically, this exhibition will critically examine key concepts at play in Baumann’s artwork through a variety of lenses. - Gustave Baumann: The Artists Environment
Along the entry corridor, three custom-built digital displays —each styled as a miniature proscenium stage—play sequential animated scenes that carry visitors toward the main gallery. The vignettes follow a whimsical cast drawn from Baumann’s own puppet creations: two human characters, Warts and Freckles; a slow-moving donkey named Miguelito; and a dragon who brings a touch of heat to our characters’ journey.
Ideum worked with the New Mexico Museum of Art staff who recreate the marionette show during the holiday season. (You can visit the holiday open house at the museum and see the marionette show for yourself.) The museum provided the script and recorded the audio content that makes up the show.
Our 3D artists meticulously recreated each puppet in digital form, referencing Baumann’s original handcrafted marionettes and archival recordings of his performances. The animation work honors the subtle timing, humor, and expressive motion found in Baumann’s puppet shows. The result bridges traditional craftsmanship and contemporary digital storytelling—bringing these century-old figures to life in a new medium while preserving their handmade spirit.
Each vignette plays in carefully timed coordination, allowing the characters to traverse the three displays in a single, continuous narrative. As guests move along the hallway, the story unfolds, all set against digitally painted backdrops inspired by Baumann’s prints. The looping digital exhibit is unique in that it has no text –it is simply a playful yet compelling introduction to the Baumann exhibit.
The installation’s physical design complements its content: the sculpted frames recall vintage puppet theater architecture, complete with draped curtains and warm wood tones, blending seamlessly with the exhibition’s aesthetic. The fabricated scenic elements were provided by Stark Raven Fabrication in Santa Fe. Behind the scenes, Ideum’s team integrated custom playback hardware and precise synchronization software to ensure smooth transitions and unified storytelling across all three stations.
Together, these animated vignettes serve as both artwork and introduction—a living extension of Baumann’s creative world that guides visitors gently from the everyday into the imaginative landscape of the exhibit itself.
