Lisbon Earthquake Center’s earthquake exhibition wins Thea Award
by Gene Jeffers
There has never been a better morning than the 1st of November. The sun shines in full glory The whole sky was calm and clear. And not even the slightest warning of an imminent event. which makes this prosperous, wealthy, and highly populated city It was the most terrifying and desolation scene…
So, Rev. Charles Davy, who was one of the survivors of the Great Lisbon Earthquake in 1755, an event that killed thousands. Destroyed Lisbon and contributed to the fall of the Portuguese Empire.
Leading design and production company Jora Vision has been hired by its founders, Ricardo Clemente and Maria João Marques. Lisbon Earthquake Center to create an earthquakeA museum environment that immerses visitors into the grand event, said Jan Maarten de Raad, CEO of Jora Vision, “We love stories that are unique and meaningful. We are excited to use our design and production skills to bring this story to life.” “We are confident that we can find the right team to deliver a great Quake experience.”
on arrival at the center Visitors are escorted into a reception room and welcomed. Suddenly, a hidden door opens and leads the group to an abandoned laboratory. There, a recording by “Professor Louis” asks for help researching the Great Lisbon Earthquake. and enlist volunteers to join a team that will travel back in time to retrieve missing important documents. After several stages of training in seismology and history of earthquakes. A visitor steps into a time machine and within minutes finds himself strolling through the quiet streets of Lisbon on the early morning of November 1, 1755.
it’s all saints day Many Catholics gathered in the church to attend early Mass. Those planning to attend Mass later in the day were busy preparing food. candles in the house or perhaps cleaning the graves of their ancestors
After exploring Lisbon’s quiet streets and learning about the lives of its inhabitants The sound of church bells calls the brave time traveler to a nearby church. They sat in the pews and watched as the priests performed sacred rituals. Everything seemed normal, but then, at 9:40 a.m., Reverend Davy remarked:
…in the blink of an eye, I was awakened…was instantly stunned by the most horrifying collapse. It was as if every building in the city had collapsed at once. The house where I lived was shaken with such violence that the upper floor suddenly collapsed. and even though my apartment (Which is on the first floor) will not share the same fate. But everything was thrown out of its place… The wall continued to wobble in the most terrifying manner. opened many places Huge stones fell from all sides…
The scene inside the church was equally chaotic. The bench trembled and trembled. Huge boulders can be seen from above. The flames blaze and rage cries for mercy and screams of pain Everything moves and crumbles as time travelers rush outside to escape the crumbling structure. Per Davy’s Earnings:
All those in their common danger gathered here in a safe place, knelt in prayer. with the fearful expression of death Everyone pounded their chests and cried out incessantly, Miserecordia meu Dios!… In the midst of our devotion. A second great panic broke out. slightly less violent than the first and completely destroy those buildings that have already collapsed
Time travelers watch from the streets as aftershocks, tsunamis, fires and looting hit the city. They heard the words of the other survivors: a German merchant who wrote, “No words can express horror. The dust and smoke from the fire surrounded me. And I can hardly breathe darkness surrounds me And I found myself surrounded by a crumbling city A large number of people were screaming and begging for mercy. The city will never be restored!” A Jesuit priest shook his faith. “By the mercy of God, I survived the trembling What started on a beautiful day turned into a scene from hell. Roof tiles were blown away like feathers. And the dust covered the sunlight… Most of the survivors were covered in dirt… mother carrying dead child And in every corner there were mutilated and unrecognizable corpses. It was as if Judgment Day had finally arrived.”
The crew witnessed the destruction that killed tens of thousands of people and changed Portugal’s history forever. They know they have to complete their mission and recover the missing documents for Professor Louis.
while screen Responsible for the full design development and turnkey production of a 90-minute tour that explores the Lisbon earthquake and seismology as a modern science. from the start They collaborate with experts. Optical Drawing (PWL), Khun Beam and Kraftwerk Living Technologies (KLT). Marco Ruzza, Creative Director of Jora Vision, said: “This project needed to be educationally relevant. Historically and scientifically correct. “But we wanted to offer visitors more than a traditional museum display. Therefore, it is important to create a story-driven journey based on actual events. Presentation needs to engage visitors with a beginning, middle and end.”
Quake is a meticulously choreographed sequence of activities and events. designed to send visitors into the mood for that fateful day. “Visitors interact with nine time-controlled sets and acts, immersing themselves in a story-driven learning phenomenon,” said Robin van der Want, director of project development at Jora Vision. 1,800 square meters (19,000 square feet) in a new building in Lisbon’s Belém district. which is the point where the buildings It was destroyed and people died more than two centuries ago.”
A unique travel experience, Quake takes visitors beyond the facts and figures found in more traditional formats and into a custom-designed storyline that blends and connects history, science and culture, modern acting techniques blend with the environment. “Light, video and sound are powerful tools to create immersive experiences,” said Luc Peumans, CEO of Painting With Light. We use these tools to turn visitors into witnesses walking the streets of Lisbon. feel the vibration see doom This cannot be done with static text and descriptions.”
by creating a story within a story Visitors will be involved right from the start. “That’s why my favorite part is the beginning, the reception, the hidden door. Inviting visitors to become players,” Russa says. “It presents and sets up the whole experience. You can’t avoid being part of the story.”
Historical and scientific accuracy is essential to the design and construction of all projects. Seismologists and historians provided information throughout the operation. Even the movement-controlled pews by KLT mimic the 1755 style to create a realistic feel.
“This project was very challenging,” said Céline Cuypers, PWL Project Manager. “We had to build nine different rooms. Work with many different departments, maintain a tight budget. while creating a 360-degree projection of surprising AC intrusion and other challenges. The team solved a lot of problems, but ultimately it all came together to create an incredible space and an incredible experience.”
One of Cuypers’ favorite rooms is the chapel, where moving benches blend with floor-to-ceiling surround projection. Mr. Beam AV scenery visualization, sound and light effects to create the feeling of being in a building when an earthquake occurs. “Working with our partners We all complement each other,” she says. “Jora Vision knows how to tell stories to people. We are good at lighting and AV effects, other specialties add the necessary dimension. We all work very well to integrate devices in each room without being seen.”
The sentiment is echoed by Ruzza, “We look for the right partner when it comes to competing projects. PWL is at the top of the list.” He noted the advantages of having expert advice and guidance from initial concept development to completion. “When it comes to specific elements of a project, Your experience is often inadequate. especially in the detail design stage Choosing the best solution Finding the best technical products, PWL and the participation of other partners ours is important.”
Engaging with partner contractors from the outset provides benefits for the entire creative and production process. “We really enjoyed this project,” Peumans said. This will only happen if everyone works together as a team throughout the project.”
Largely thanks to the efforts of a cohesive team, Quake visitors will learn. get trained Become a time traveler and experience one of the most destructive earthquakes in the world. They seek knowledge to better understand earthquakes. Including how to prepare and cope when an earthquake occurs. many years ago Reverend Davy understood too late the need for such preparations. By closing his article on great earthquakes:
I assure you that this vast and rich city is now nothing but numerous ruins. The rich and the poor today are on a certain level. Some thousands of families who once lived happily ever after are now scattered across the fields. want all the comfort Can’t find anyone to help alleviate
Bringing all the elements together to create a must-see museum experience doesn’t happen by chance. It needs good care and coordination. Honoring Quake at the Lisbon Earthquake Center with Thea Award for Outstanding Achievement: Budget Historical Experience Thea Awards jury said in their official statement, “Quake strikes a great balance between education and entertainment. are enthusiastic and Passive participation and rides, shows and exhibitions, it achieves this balance while seamlessly weaving historical, scientific and cultural facts into a distinctive visitor experience. story driven and unique.” Much easier said than done.
For more information:
earthquake: lisbonquake.com
Jora Vision: joravision.com
Light Painting: PWL.be
Kraftwerk Living Technologies: www.Kraftwerk.at
Mr Beam: www.mrbeam.com
Charles Davy’s Income Account: https://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/1755lisbonquake.asp
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