Exploring the Award-Winning Immersive Audio Experience “Colored” Exhibit with L-Acoustics L-ISA Exploring the Award-Winning Immersive Audio Experience “Colored” Exh...
The Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris has garnered significant attention for its groundbreaking immersive audio experience exhibit “Colored (Noire).” Receiving the THEA Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Extended Reality category, “Colored” is an immersive historical narrative. Based on Tania de Montaigne’s historical essay, this immersive installation brings to life the poignant story of Claudette Colvine, a heroine whose legacy has faded into obscurity.
A Journey Through History with Augmented Reality
“Colored” transports visitors to a time when pivotal figures like Martin Luther King Jr. and Rosa Parks laid the foundations of the civil rights movement. The installation offers a deeply immersive audio experience, intertwining the personal narrative of Claudette Colvine—a woman who refused to give up her bus seat to a white passenger in 1955, nine months before Rosa Parks’ famous act of defiance—with the broader struggle against racial injustice.
The exhibit’s innovative use of technology sets it apart. Visitors wear a Hololens headset with a transparent visor, which overlaps the real world with holographic images of historical figures and scenes. This augmented reality experience is further enhanced by physical props, decor, and meticulously designed lighting that blends seamlessly with the virtual elements.
Multi-Sensory Experience with L-Acoustics L-ISA
A unique aspect of “Colored” is its comprehensive sensory engagement. The narrative is delivered via a bone conduction headset, allowing visitors to choose between English, French, or Mandarin voiceovers. This technology ensures that the story resonates clearly regardless of background noise or distractions.
Another highlight is the immersive audio experience. The music and sound effects are presented through the state-of-the-art L-Acoustics L-ISA immersive audio system. This setup includes ten 5XT speakers, four Syva Subs, and four LA4X amplifiers, all supplied by 4J Evènements in France. The L-ISA system plays a crucial role in the storytelling. It helps create a rich, enveloping atmosphere that draws participants deeper into the narrative. The precision and depth of the audio immersion make the historical scenes and characters come alive. It provides extra dimension to the experience, layering even more emotion into the exhibit.
Interactive Exploration
Designed for groups of 8-12, the exhibit encourages participants to explore the space actively. Guests can follow audio and visual cues to engage with the story. This interactive approach makes history feel more immediate and relevant. It fosters a personal connection to the ongoing fight against racial violence and injustice.
“Colored” stands as a testament to the power of technology in storytelling. By merging historical narrative with cutting-edge augmented reality and immersive audio, the exhibit offers a profoundly moving experience that honors the past while inspiring reflection on contemporary social issues. Visitors to the Centre Georges Pompidou leave with a renewed appreciation for the struggles and triumphs of those who fought—and continue to fight—for equality and justice.
Behind the Scenes
Watch the behind-the-scenes video to get more insight into how the exhibit was achieved. Offering a glimpse into the creative process behind “Colored,” Tania de Montaigne, director Stéphane Fukinos, and Pierre Alain Giraud, who created the augmented reality for the experience, discuss the project’s goals and execution. They highlight the use of innovative technology to share Claudette Colvine’s story. By combining elements of theater, film, and augmented reality they bring characters to life around the audience. The creators hope the experience will raise awareness of Colvine’s story and the history of segregation in the United States.
“Colored” is more than just an exhibit. It is a powerful reminder of the enduring legacy of the civil rights movement and the ongoing fight for justice. The innovative use of technology, particularly the L-ISA immersive audio system and storytelling, helps provide impact. This exhibit ensures that the stories of those who came before us are not forgotten but celebrated and remembered.
