The Waltzing Matilda Centre: An Immersive Exhibition Art Installation

Transforming Stories into an Engaging Experience

The Waltzing Matilda Centre is a bespoke art installation that features a 70 sq meter internal space filled with 1350 4-meter high silicone-filled PVC tubes. These tubes, secured to a suspended structure, create a shimmering curtain that surrounds the viewer, reflecting high up into the ceiling and on the floor. The experience is dramatic and evocative, triggering a strong emotional response.

What sets this design apart is the use of 3D animated motion graphics that tell stories in an abstracted style, drawing inspiration from real elements in the local landscape. The motion graphics are projected onto the silicone curtain, creating a seamless and fully blended 360-degree moving image. This digital mapping onto the curved surface pushes the technology to its limits, resulting in a visually stunning and immersive experience.

The Waltzing Matilda Centre is not just visually captivating, but also a technical marvel. Eight Epson ultra short throw projectors positioned around the top edge of the ceiling channel project the motion graphics onto the curtain. The use of silicone tubes allows the projections to penetrate both the inside and outside of the curtain without losing image intensity or integrity. The result is a Billabong experience that can be viewed from either inside or outside the space.

Sound plays a crucial role in enhancing the immersive experience. A 10-speaker sound system fills the space with a deep echo of voice, adding a mythical tone and edge to the story soundscape. The combination of visuals and sound creates a multisensory experience that transports visitors to the heart of the Australian outback.

The Waltzing Matilda Centre is located in Winton, Central West Queensland, Australia. The design team, led by Creative Director Jan Nowell, spent 18 months in the research and development phase, immersing themselves in the landscape and history of the area. The remote location and conservative nature of the community presented challenges, but through careful prototyping, testing, and stakeholder engagement, Arterial Design successfully brought their vision to life.

This groundbreaking design has received widespread acclaim and recognition. In 2019, the Waltzing Matilda Centre was awarded the Bronze A' Design Award in the Interior Space, Retail, and Exhibition Design category. This prestigious award celebrates designs that exhibit strong technical and creative skills, contributing to quality of life improvements and making the world a better place.

The Waltzing Matilda Centre is a testament to the power of design to transform stories into unforgettable experiences. Through its innovative use of technology, stunning visuals, and evocative soundscapes, this immersive exhibition art installation takes visitors on a journey through time and place, capturing the imagination and leaving a lasting impact.