An immersive, interactive, multi-sensory attraction, in London’s West End, the Twist Museum challenges its the visitors to explore the world of illusion. Twist (The Way I See Things) is a collaborative work of leading artists, psychologists and neuroscientists that poses questions such as ‘Can you see colours that aren’t there? Do you always know which way is up? Can a corridor go on forever?’.
Supported by audiovisual integration from London-based Crossover AV – who specified, installed, programmed and commissioned the necessary A/V management and routing equipment using a digital backbone – the Digital Mirror exhibit imultimedia artist Aristotle Roufanis’ use of a camera and large-format display to create an interactive ‘mirror’, distorting reflections in real time. Here, the Crossover team provided the displays, the audio system, and the back-end processing hardware, that manipulates the captured images to create the illusions and distortions presented to the viewer.
Crossover also helped the museum’s project team build another of Roufanis’ creations, the Digital Kaleidoscope, with audio looping in real time on Ableton Live. The Kaleidoscope is a mirrored hexagonal tube – visitors entering are immersed in a stunning display of colours and patterns, with reflections that are influenced by their movements and interactions. Crossover supplied and installed the projection systems, camera, processing hardware and audio system for this interactive marvel.
Martin Audio loudspeakers were specified in the Audio Interactive Space & Mind Hub where distortion free, phase coherent output was paramount. The former is a large octagonal acoustically treated 360° surround-sound room that immerses visitors in soundscapes created by artist and composer Antoine Bertin. Custom-programmed LED lighting synchronises with the audio to enhance the sensory impact, with LF rumble provided by a Martin Audio SX110 10-inch slimline subwoofer - chosen ‘for its super compact form factor, and the fact it could be easily flown without taking up valuable floorspace’, according to Crossover Senior Systems Designer, Juan Garcia. ‘In addition, we are very familiar with Martin Audio and love the sound of their speakers and their reliability. The fact that the space was small, and the sub is so powerful, we only needed one SX110, to avoid hotspots and dips.’
About halfway through the journey, the visitors enter the Mind Hub where Crossover installed the lighting and supplied the lighting control hardware and audio system. At the centre is a huge cube of 1,000 individually controllable LED spheres hanging from the ceiling, creating mesmerising patterns and shapes. Here and in the events area, Crossover have specified eight Martin Audio Adorn A55T, focused on background music and small events within that space, chosen for their output within a discreet footprint. These are powered by a Martin Audio VIA2004 four-channel, 2kW class-D amplifier.
Elsewhere, the Upside-Down Room and the Ames Room provide further experiences for visitors, the former featuring a further Martin Audio music system with the option for a DJ to play for parties and events. A digital back end with local touchpanel interfaces allows staff to monitor the exhibits and to maintain uptime.
‘This was a brilliant project to have worked on,’ says Crossover Director, David Sacks. ‘It was particularly rewarding because of the close collaboration with international artists to bring their visions to life with some of the best audiovisual technology around.’
