Lewis CaliburnThe Closer to Memling Experience at Museum St John’s Hospital in Bruges, Belgium, is a digital and interactive installation that immerses visitors in the world of Hans Memling, a renowned 15th-century Flemish painter.
Integration form Ocular collaborated with TAU Audio Solutions, SoundTube Entertainment’s distributor in the Netherlands, to integrate high-quality audio solutions that enhance the visitor experience. Using SoundTube IP-enabled speakers and switches, Ocular created an atmospheric soundscape inspired by polyphonic music from Memling’s era.
The primary goal of the Closer to Memling Experience was to deliver a sound that complements and elevates the audiovisual journey through time. The audio had to seamlessly blend into the attic space of the museum while providing exceptional sound quality to transport visitors into Memling’s world. The system needed to be reliable and unobtrusive, ensuring the hardware did not detract from the historical ambiance of the space.
Ocular selected SoundTube IPD-SM500i-II-BK 5.25 for its solid sound performance and ability to deliver high-quality audio without drawing attention and SoundTube STNet-Switch-II, used for efficient network audio distribution across the installation.
Integrating modern technology into a centuries-old attic presented unique challenges. The hardware needed to be installed discreetly to preserve the architectural integrity of the space. SoundTube’s compact and versatile designs made it possible to achieve this goal without compromising on audio quality or performance.
The SoundTube products stood out for their ability to deliver high-quality sound inspired by polyphonic music from Memling’s era, discreet design that blended seamlessly into the historic environment and reliability that is critical for an immersive audiovisual experience.
These features ensured visitors could enjoy an engaging soundscape that complemented other elements of the installation, such as Displax tiles and a Leyard LED wall.
The Closer to Memling Experience has been hailed as a success by both Ocular and Musea Brugge. The immersive digital experience has transformed the museum atmosphere, making it more engaging for visitors of all ages.
According to client feedback: “This digital experience transforms the atmosphere of the museum, making a visit to Museum St John’s Hospital even more engaging and immersive. Visitors are triggered to come and take a look.”
In addition to SoundTube products, other key technologies used in this project included Displax Tiles interactive touch tiles for enhancing visitor engagement and a Leyard LED Wall.
The Closer to Memling Experience demonstrates how high-quality audio solutions can play a pivotal role in creating immersive cultural installations. SoundTube’s IP-enabled speakers and switches provided reliable performance while blending seamlessly into a historic setting.