Reviving History: The Polonceau Railway Carriage Multimedia Installation

Immersive Experience Blends Historic Artifacts with Modern Technology

The Polonceau Railway Carriage, named after the French engineer Camille Polonceau, is a rare artifact that once served as a private premium carriage for prominent Soviet officials. The installation pairs this historic carriage with a multi-screen video wall that moves along a 22-meter path, providing a dynamic and immersive experience for museum visitors. The video content, meticulously synchronized with the video wall's movement, presents a historically accurate depiction of the carriage's interior, complete with CGI enhancements.

The installation's unique properties lie in its blend of historical artifacts and modern technology. The video content was created using the chroma key technique, which allowed for the seamless integration of filmed action and computer-generated imagery (CGI). To achieve a realistic parallax effect, the camera was mounted on the moving video wall, and a special program was written to control its movement along the 22-meter travel path.

The project was a collaborative effort by the Pitch Creative Engineering Bureau and The Art Combine for Museums & Exhibitions LCC (KMVI LCC), under the supervision of the Museum's exposition general contractor. The team faced the challenge of creating content with precise repeatability for the long travel path, which was overcome with the use of digital motion control systems and a unique project pipeline.

Visitors to the installation are treated to a historically accurate recreation of a business trip by Vyacheslav Molotov, the notorious Soviet Minister of Foreign Affairs. The video content provides detailed insights into the carriage's interior, including the kitchen, lavatories, compartments for porters and guards, drawing rooms, a study, and the Minister's private compartment. The installation is equipped with an industrial safety system, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all visitors.

The Polonceau Railway Carriage installation has been recognized for its innovative approach to cultural heritage preservation, earning the Silver A' Cultural Heritage and Culture Industry Design Award in 2021. This prestigious award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and that introduce positive feelings, amazement, and wonder. The installation is a testament to the power of modern technology in bringing history to life, offering a unique and engaging experience for all visitors to the Russian Railway Museum.