How open source principles are transforming the art world

On the surface it may seem like the world's leading provider of open source solutions and a modern art museum located in London have nothing in common. But digging a little deeper, you find that the same principles guiding Red Hat are helping Tate Exchange at Tate Modern transform itself into a 21st-century museum.

Premiering today, the “Art of Exchange” documentary film examines what happens when an art museum invites everyone who enters its doors to not just admire art, but to participate in it. Just like in open source software, anyone can contribute, anyone can bring new perspectives, anyone can make a difference.

The film centers on artist Tim Etchells’ “Three Tables” performance experiment. “Three Tables” is an interactive work in which three performers are seated at three tables in Tate Exchange. They draw members of the public into conversations on topics that range from work and money to ephemeral things and friendship, family and love. What makes the work so unique is that the conversation is constantly changing and evolving based on who sits at the table. The contributions of each individual help shape the final narrative.

Open source is more than just a way to create software. Just as art has been known to break down barriers and challenge how people think, open source teaches us about building things without limitations and forming new communities without boundaries.

Part of Red Hat’s Open Source Stories film series, “Art of Exchange” is the latest installment from Red Hat to highlight and share stories about how openness is a catalyst for change. For nearly 25 years, Red Hat has championed communities—both big and small—as they strive to build the most innovative technology in the world. And now, with Open Source Stories, Red Hat is documenting what happens when people defy convention and say to the world: “Take this. Build on it. Make it better.”​

The full film is available online at https://www.redhat.com/en/open-source-stories/art-of-exchange.

For more information about Open Source Stories and to watch our other films, visit https://www.redhat.com/en/open-source-stories. Watch the films and share them with others using the hashtag #opensourcestories to help us shine a light on ways open innovation is changing the world.