Solutions: Museum of the History of Bologna History in 3D
A new museum – the only one in Italy with a Virtual Theatre for 3D films – has opened in Bologna, making impressive use of AV and multimedia technology, writes Mike Clark
About the
installer . Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Bagnolo Cremasco, Italy, studioBASE2 specialises in digital entertainment and interactive installations, with in-depth experience in museums and advertising
. Its system integration services for a vast range of products enable the company to cater for clients ranging from private individuals to commercial organisations, public authorities and enterprises
The 3D theatre features a main 12,000 ANSI lumen Barco Galaxy NW-12 active 3D projector Pictures: Paolo Righi – Meridiana Immagini
naugurated at the end of January, the latest addition to the Bologna city-centre museum network is the Museum of the History of Bologna. The new centre occupies three floors of Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio, an important Bologna building dating back to the 14th century.
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Milan architect and designer Mario Bellini won the competition for the refurbishment of the historical aspects of the building, the courtyard (which has been transformed into the museum’s foyer and hosts the Tower of Time, a striking new glass and steel construction housing temporary exhibitions) and the museum exhibition design itself.
Despite hosting 15,000 works of art, 60,000 photographs, 115,000 books
and 563 musical instruments, the key aspect of the venue is the in-depth use made of AV and multimedia technology. Palazzo Pepoli is in fact the only Italian museum with a Virtual Theatre (by CINECA of Bologna) for viewing 3D films.
The overall project in which the visual effects were integrated was by Mario Bellini Architects. StudioBASE2 was responsible for the multimedia systems in terms of visual effects, handling their content and supplying the necessary equipment. The executive design and realisation of the main components of the exhibition systems, including showcase and stand illumination, almost all done with LED technology, was by Meyvaert Italia. Pierluigi Fontanesi, one of
studioBASE2’s founding partners, was overall co-ordinator of the firm’s work on the project and explains: “Our brief from the clients – Fondazione Carisbo/Museums in the City – was to interact with the scientific committee, Bellini Architects, Italo Lupi graphic studio and the other contractors to design and realise the museum’s visit route. With the exclusion of the theatre, we followed all the work of supplying equipment, installation, and production and adaptation of audio/video content.”
In the round
The round 3D theatre features a main 12,000 ANSI lumen Barco Galaxy NW- 12 active 3D projector with native WUXGA (1920 x 1200) resolution. There is also a pair of DL.3F,
. The company’s client portfolio includes names such as Microsoft, Studio Azzurro and Milan Triennial
installation versions of High End Systems’ DL.3 digital light. During the film currently being screened (a 3D cartoon which tells the story of Bologna through the centuries), the two DL.3 project images on either side of the main screen. Between shows the devices move, projecting around the entire venue. The Tannoy sound system comprises a pair of i9 (L/R), a V8 (C) and a VS10 subwoofer. A Crestron CP2E controls the various devices, another handles the show and pre- show, and the DSP presentation mixer is a Biamp Nexia PM.
Next to the theatre, a sloping path leading down to the Multimedia Space (where three Samsung EX550 55in LED LCD displays with PQ Labs Multi- Touch overlays screen a history of the