Electrosonic has supplied audio-visual design, integration and installation for the “Beyond Rubik’s Cube” exhibition developed by Liberty Science Center in Jersey City, New Jersey.
“Beyond Rubik’s Cube” is a travelling exhibition and after 11 months at the Liberty Science Center the exhibition will begin a seven year tour.
The exhibition’s three exploration zones, Invent, Play and Inspire, include artifacts and puzzles, music and art. The 7, 000 sq ft exhibit, features 24 areas with AV supported by Electrosonic, all celebrating the cultural phenomenon of Professor Ernő Rubik’s cube. AV features include:
- Within the entrance tunnel, cameras, Microsoft Kinect devices and Panasonic projectors with ultra short-throw lenses create geometric patterns as people walk through.
- A Solve Bar incorporating ELO 55-inch LCD touchscreens allows visitors to solve the cube for themselves.
- A 55-inch Samsung portrait monitor displays and interview with Professor Rubik.
- Visitors can design their own puzzles and tessellation patterns on a 55in and a 100in Ideum Pro multitouch tables.
- The Cube Culture exhibit features cube artifacts and videos displayed on Brightsign HD media players and monitors.
- The Cube Symphony exhibit, designed by Unified Field, allows visitors to create symphonies by rotating two cube controllers.
- A wall mosaic made from hundreds of Rubik’s Cubes is accompanies by a video about the artist projected onto the floor by multiple Christie DHD675-E HD DLP projectors.
- Electrosonic has created a mobile control room which uses an AMX system controller and tablet control app.
Bryan Abelowitz, Electrosonic account executive who worked with project manager Thursby Pierce on the project explains that there were particular challenges in creating this travelling exhibition:
“There was a short turnaround time of five months from concept to completion. We coordinated with a number of media producers to create an exhibition that entertains Science Center visitors and can easily travel to new venues worldwide.
“Everything is dual voltage and interconnected via wireless and wired networks. We worked closely with the Science Center on a pretty unique system that enables them to act as host, remotely monitoring the exhibit and updating content when it travels. Twenty Samsung tablets run interactive apps as exhibits, and can be remotely configured for different languages.”
He adds that the exhibit has been designed to be very robust and portable for travelling.
“Beyond Rubik’s Cube” was developed by Liberty Science Center; Richard Lewis Media group provided the linear media pieces; Blue Telescope and Unified Field provided the interactive elements; Motion Picture Company provided the entry feature and the exhibit fabricator was Maltbie, a kubik Company.
