The SFMOMA’s New App Will Forever Change How You Enjoy Museums

[Narrator] This is the new SFMOMA.

For three years it's been closed to the public

undergoing a major expansion.

The renovated museum is among the most

considered gallery spaces in the world

not to mention America's largest repository

of modern art.

The redesign nearly tripled its prior gallery space

and that means there is a lot more to see.

And yes, that's exciting,

but it can also be a little overwhelming.

To help guide you through the museum

SFMOMA teamed up with Apple

and a company called Detour to develop an app

that totally re-imagines the audio tour experience.

To get started, just select the tour you want,

press play, and slip your phone in your pocket.

[Audio Tour] Look up at the white mobile,

it's tentacles hovering silently

above this spaceship entry hall.

Do you see it?

Take a walk beneath it.

See how it changes.

[Narrator] That's Avery Trufelman

from the podcast 99% Invisible.

She's just one of the people you will hear from

on the new audio tours.

Here's another favorite, it's Philippe Petit,

the French tightrope walker.

[Philippe] Now, go left and walk all the way

through the next gallery.

[Narrator] Mix things up.

The museum recorded powerful commentaries

from podcasters, comedians, sportscasters and artists.

[Philippe] You will see Picassos and Matisses

and other early modern artists

but don't lose yourself to these.

Keep going straight ahead.

OK, come into this corner gallery

and see whether any of the works in here

invite you to stop and look.

(gentle electronic music)

[Narrator] For half a century, audio tours

required punching numbers into key pads,

but SFMOMA's app is nothing like that.

The museum's immersive tours flow uninterrupted

from piece to piece, gallery to gallery,

one room to the next.

[Philippe] I'll let you know where to go

as we walk.

No need to keep looking at your screen.

Go slowly, a lot like me.

I do something ridiculous once for the museum.

[Narrator] The app uses the museum's wifi

to keep tabs on where you are

and guide you through each space.

You've really got to experience it for yourself,

but it feels really navigable.

These immersive audio tours aren't perfect.

Stray from the path, the voiceover fades out

and you get some nice elevator music instead.

The app can tell you where to go

to resume the tour

but if you wander too far astray

it can have some trouble getting you back on track.

Plus, sometimes the beauty of the gallery experience

is just wandering around, getting a little lost

and stumbling upon that one piece

that totally captivates you.

The ideal audio tour is one

that adapts to spontaneity

and doesn't prescribe a predetermined path.

That is a pretty big ask

but it's one that SFMOMA is actively working toward.

In the meantime, this app

is a giant step in the right direction.