An expedition in sound and light

– LD Systems and Cameo accompany immersive Antarctic exhibition in Barcelona

With the world premiere of “GIGA - Experiencia Antártica”, a spectacular exhibition will open in summer 2025 in the newly created Cúpula Arenas in Barcelona, taking visitors on a virtual journey to the “White Continent”. The driving force behind the project is the international platform GIGA (Grand Immersive Gallery), which is setting new standards on the cultural scene with its immersive experiences. The film was directed by none other than Luc Jacquet, Oscar-winning filmmaker of March of the Penguins, who, together with the team at Icebreaker Studios, has developed an audiovisual narrative that combines scientific findings, artistic imagery and state-of-the-art projection technology. On more than 2,000 square metres, a multi-sensory journey unfolds in the Cúpula Arenas with large-scale 360° projections, original sound recordings and impressive soundscapes. The AV installation by SGroup Equipement – realised with products by LD Systems and Cameo – provides the perfect sound and lighting experience.

The immersive exhibition is divided into several themed rooms, from the Préambule to the Glacier World and from the South Pole to the Hall of Reflections. The challenge for the audio planning was to develop a system that would both carry over long distances and disappear discreetly into the iceberg-inspired scenery. One of the products that Sylvain Roos and his team opted for was an extensive LD Systems CURV 500 setup, which is used with its compact arrays and subwoofers in the “Préambule”, “Iceberg”, “Under the Ice Cap” and “South Pole” areas. In the “40th Roaring” zone, where particularly high dynamics were required, LD Systems STINGER 10 G3 bass reflex loudspeakers and STINGER SUB 18 G3 18" subwoofers were also used.

“I needed a manufacturer that could offer a consistent sound signature across the entire speaker portfolio,” explains Sylvain Roos. “The CURV 500 satellites deliver high range, excellent sound quality and definition – and can also be perfectly integrated into the scene.”

“The CURV 500 satellites deliver high range, excellent sound quality and definition – and can also be perfectly integrated into the scene.”
Sylvain Roos, SGroup Equipement

Sophisticated signal distribution for immersive rooms

The audio sources, together with the video content and other signals, are managed via a Modulo Pi and Proxima media server system. Powersoft Quattrocanali models are used as amplifiers in combination with the CURV 500 I AMP 4-channel Class-D installation power amplifiers from LD Systems. The result is dynamic, immersive sound that is customised for each room and blends harmoniously into the visual dramaturgy.

Light reflections in the room from mirrors

A special highlight awaits visitors in the “Hall of Reflections”, a room that is completely furnished with mirrors. For this area, SGroup Equipement opted for the Cameo AZOR B1 beam moving head. With its combination of compact dimensions, high light output and diverse gobo options, the AZOR B1 creates impressive multi-beam effects that refract in the mirrors and thus create an impressive spatial depth.