Lightroom has launched with the debut of an immersive experience featuring works from renowned English artist David Hockney. Located at King’s Cross in London, Lightroom is a joint venture by 59 Productions and London Theatre Company that leverages technology from Berlin-based audio company HOLOPLOT and extended reality specialists disguise.
See also: The Emotn N1 smart projector is officially licensed by Netflix
Titled “David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (Not Smaller & Further Away)”, the debut exhibit by Lightroom utilizes large-scale projection and immersive audio to make visitors feel like they are placed within each work of art as the story of Hockney’s creative processes unfolds. As audiences are placed within each work of art, such as his famous pieces “A Bigger Splash” and “A Bigger Grand Canyon,” HOLOPLOT’s audio pumps out a score by Nico Muhly specifically composed for this exhibit. Other times, Hockney’s works are recreated one brush stroke at a time around visitors while the artist narrates his approach and muses observations noticed over a careers spanning 70 years.
The exhibit features the UK’s first fixed installation of a HOLOPLOT X1 Matrix Array sound system. Audio is pumped through an X1 system on each end of the main room, hidden within wall cavities, creating a seamless 360 degree audio projection surface. Visitors can come and marvel at the entirety of the show, which takes about 50 minutes, or relax and unwind under the spellbinding visuals for as long as they like.
As is typical of Hockney’s work, a variety of mediums are involved. In addition to paintings, diguise’s projection techniques are used to envelop visitors in Polaroid photos, drawings, and more. A rarity in these sorts of exhibits, David Hockney was involved heavily during the planning of the show, from the visuals to the audio, to the immersive element of the show. The artist was even provided with a scale model of the venue so that he could watch and give input as the show came together.
“David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (Not Smaller & Further Away)” is now open at Lightroom in London.
