The Folger Shakespeare Library
The Folger Shakespeare Library
The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., is an independent research library housing the world's largest collection of Shakespeare-related materials, including over 80 First Folios and numerous early editions of his works.
Bluecadet, in partnership with Studio Joseph, supported the Folger Shakespeare Library during a major four-year renovation, reimagining the exhibit experience and creating a radically more accessible and welcoming building to connect with 21st-century audiences.
Shake up Your Shakespeare
Shake up Your Shakespeare is an immersive, theatrical installation inspired by a former Director of Education's dynamic card-based exercises with students. Players act out Shakespearean lines, with color-coded text to guide performance. Featuring both single and two-player modes, the experience is enhanced by custom hardware, projection mapping, and shifting lights that spotlight the active player. This unique installation transforms space into a magical, multi-dimensional theatre, bringing Shakespeare to life in unexpected ways.
First Folios
The Folger Shakespeare Library holds the world’s largest collection of First Folios, with 82 copies, representing about a third of the estimated surviving copies. This makes it the most significant repository of this rare and valuable book. The presentation of the Folios was designed to be both sculptural and deeply interactive.
The experience consists of three key components: the Light Case, Touch Screen, and Wings. The Light Case acts as a sculptural data visualization, illuminating groupings of the folios, with each grouping explained by a key legend. The Touch Screen allows visitors to explore the folios through three distinct lenses—Detective, Storyteller/Historian, and Collector—offering unique insights into these rare artifacts. The Wings feature LED plaques with capacitive touch, introducing the folios and their significance to modern audiences. This installation was a deeply collaborative effort involving curators, fabricators, and lighting designers, ensuring the folios' preservation while emphasizing their cultural importance.
Printing with Light
Printing with Light is a physio digital installation that reimagines the traditional printing press. Featuring two interactive printing stations with monitors, visitors assemble letter blocks on a surface, which are then scanned by computer vision technology. The selected text is projected digitally with a rich texture, mimicking the look of stamped ink. This experience blends physical interaction with digital artistry, allowing visitors to explore the art of printing, and some of Shakespeare’s most evocative language, in a modern, engaging way.
