AV specialist Sysco has completed a major tech integration for a new exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, UK.
Entitled Ocean Liners: Speed and Style, the exhibition takes guests on a journey through 'the golden age' of ocean travel. It explores the cultural impact of the ocean liner, paying particular attention to key elements of ship design, including engineering, architecture and interiors. It also explores the lifestyle and fashion of the passengers, and life onboard.
Held in Gallery 39 and the North Court, the exhibition features more than 250 exhibits - including paintings, sculpture, model ships, wall panels, furniture, fashion, photos, posters and film - across five themed areas: Promotion, Politics of Style, Engineering, Life on Board and The Metaphor of the Liner.
The Politics of Style zone showcases the interiors of the Queen Mary through a portrait projection displayed on an elevated angular screen, while Life on Board features the Seascape Panorama, a spectacular sea view that consists of two seamlessly blended laser projections, scaled and overlaid with the setworks.
The Metaphor of the Liner has a fragment of a wooden panel from an overdoor from the first class lounge of the Titanic on display. Due to the artefact's fragility designers were very aware of lighting levels, that could be potentially harmful, so it was incorporated into a projection of flowing water, powered by two ceiling mounted projectors.
The exhibition also includes four synchronised projections of a man and woman in black tie descending a staircase as part of The Grande Descente, and LCD screens and projections display archival photos and movie footage at intervals throughout. Each zone features its own specially designed soundscape, delivered through discreetly mounted speakers.
"Working closely with the design teams ensured a strong connection with their vision to create a dramatic, decadent and memorable exhibition. Understanding the exhibits, setworks and artefacts enabled a careful and considered approach to the incorporation of audiovisual technology ensuring a sensitive solution that would enhance, but not damage any of these delicate pieces," said Graeme Bunyan, Sysco's director of Technology.
