Squint/Opera, the creative studio, has developed a new series of films for Historic Royal Palaces’ new exhibition in the Jewel House at the Tower of London.
The firm was commissioned to create a new media suite for the Crown Jewels Experience. The exhibition serves as a ‘shoulder experience’ to the neighbouring Treasury and was redesigned as part of the Jewel House’s first major refurbishment in more than 10 years. The new exhibition provides an integrated visitor experience across the Jewel House.
The exhibition was developed in collaboration with Ralph Appelbaum Associates (RAA), a multidisciplinary firm specialising in the planning and design of museums, exhibits, educational environments and visitor attractions.
Squint/Opera assisted in transforming the area leading up to the Treasury into an engaging exhibition space, which explains the Crown Jewels’ long and complicated history while captivating visitors from beginning to end.
The agency says: “We designed media content with implicit movement, guiding visitors through the space; a continuous left-to-right flow subtly nudged them towards the next segment, creating a rhythm. This and timed media sequences ensured a smooth visitor flow and managed dwell times.”
Origins and processions
As visitors proceed through the exhibition they encounter five main themes around the Crown Jewels. The firm created immersive digital media which gives a comprehensive historical context to support these narratives. The media suite creates an unexpected juxtaposition with the presence of the actual objects, drawing together past and present.
The first room focuses on the concept of monarchy, displaying several state crowns worn by kings and queens throughout history. This section transports the audience from Edward the Confessor to King Charles III, demonstrating the timelessness of monarchy and the significance of the Crown Jewels as potent royal symbols.
The following room, Origins, is divided into three parts. The first dives into the Kohinoor diamond’s journey and its history as a symbol of conquest. The second part focuses on the destruction of the Crown Jewels during Charles I’s execution and the English Civil War. The final part looks at the background of the Cullinan diamond, which is mounted in the Sovereign’s Sceptre.
The final room in the show, Procession, depicts the excitement and expectation of the coronation procession. This room contains three enormous, synchronized projections of authentic films from previous coronations, including Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation procession in 1953.
Building excitement
High-definition footage of the coronation regalia creates a finale for the exhibition. Visitors will see beautiful images such as macro images of St Edward’s Crown, and micro shots of the Anointing Spoon’s detailed craftsmanship.
This narrative-driven exhibition strategy is enriching and excites visitors in the lead-up to their visit to the Treasury. As a result, the visitor experience throughout the Jewel House is unified and compelling.
“Creating such an intricate exhibition is not without challenges,” Squint/Opera says. “The team had to utilise a wealth of historical images as well as contemporary photographs. This required an amalgamation of media from varying eras and differing qualities, being crafted into a cohesive visual narrative.”
The Crown Jewels exhibition shows how immersive storytelling and skilled media use can transport visitors through time, providing them with a one-of-a-kind glimpse into the rich tapestry of English history. From beginning to end, this exhibition offers a powerful visitor experience through a strong eye for detail and a respect for historical truth.
Squint/Opera recently created a new series of immersive installations for The Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. Visitors can take guided tours and see exhibitions in the venue which includes a mosque, church, synagogue, and interactive forum, and take part in activities which seek to encourage knowledge sharing.
All images courtesy of Squint/Opera
