iCubist is an interactive iPad application designed to explore Analytic Cubism, a term used to describe the groundbreaking artworks created by Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque from 1910 to 1912. The app was developed to complement the exhibition Picasso and Braque: The Cubist Experiment, 1910–1912, displayed at the Kimbell Art Museum from May 29 through August 21, 2011, and at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art from September 17, 2011, through January 8, 2012.

iCubist allows users to engage with the works of Picasso and Braque in unprecedented detail. The app offers the ability to manipulate a sequence of digitized spectral images that display the paintings under different light frequencies (such as ultraviolet and infrared), unveiling intricate details not visible to the naked eye. These unique perspectives provide insights into the creative decisions made by the artists during the development of their compositions.

The app also features an interactive activity where users can deconstruct a Cubist composition and attempt to reconstruct it. This hands-on experience provides an in-depth understanding of the intellectual and creative processes used by Picasso and Braque. By physically manipulating the visual elements, users gain an appreciation for the artists’ compositional choices—whether to create balance, suggest movement, or emphasize certain motifs within their paintings. This exercise highlights key elements within the compositions and conveys their significance.

An illustrated timeline traces the evolution of Cubism, featuring archival photographs of the artists, their contemporaries, and reproductions of pivotal works from this period. Users can delve into the history of Cubism and gain contextual knowledge that deepens their appreciation for these revolutionary artworks.

The app includes a comparative viewing tool, enabling users to analyze digital reproductions of paintings by both Picasso and Braque. By double-tapping on markers, users can access explanations of the defining features of each artist’s style, helping them distinguish between Picasso’s and Braque’s hands, even during their period of close collaboration.