tonwelt provides immersive sound solution for new DIVA exhibition at V&A

tonwelt enables hands-free sonic experience at the Victoria and Albert Museum‘s latest exhibition

tonwelt, a leading full-service provider of interactive visitor guiding systems, has worked with the V&A Museum in London as part of its new DIVA exhibition, which opened to the public on 24 June 2023. The firm has helped to enable a 100% hands-free visitor experience, with automatically triggered content and lip-sync video synchronization. DIVA celebrates the extraordinary power and creativity of iconic performers from the genres of opera, pop music, film and more, from the 19th century through to today.

The exhibition showcases costumes from iconic performers, including five key looks worn by Rihanna as well as Whitney Houston ’s, floor-length black and gold dress worn in 1994 to receive her three Grammys for The Bodyguard soundtrack, designed by Marc Bouwer; Billie Eilish ’s Glastonbury ensemble from 2019, designed by Stella McCartney; and a lilac Versace deconstructed suit that was worn by Lil Nas X on the MTV VMA red carpet in 2021.

DIVA also features 60 ensembles and 250 objects drawn from the V&A collection and loans from across the world, spanning fashion, photography, design, costumes, music, and live performance.

A unique sonic experience

Through a theatrical staging, a planetarium-style architectural takeover designed by BAFTA-winning video designer Tal Rosner, and a sonic headset experience by tonwelt, DIVA honours the inspiring and individual tales of creativity, ambition, and tenacity of some of the most well-known divas, from opera goddesses and silent movie stars to icons of the big screen and today's global megastars.

The voice of the diva is amplified by a sonic experience designed by world-leading sound designer Gareth Fry, delivered by tonwelt’s new headset system which includes ambisonics, a 360-degree surround sound. As guests explore the galleries the headsets will trigger performances by individual divas for an iconic soundtrack that plays throughout the exhibition. This features music by Maria Callas, Jessye Norman, Aretha Franklin, Josephine Baker, Dolly Parton, Adele, Prince, Ella Fitzgerald, Sade, Beyoncé and Madonna.

Philipp Hinz, tonwelt’s project manager for integrated solutions says: “We are very honoured to offer visitors to the V&A an innovative sound solution that meets the high standards of the exhibition. With so many different artists represented in this exhibition, having precise triggering at close proximity was key. We are very pleased that our solution is working so seamlessly. Feedback by the visitors has been fantastic as they really immerse themselves into the experience.”

supraGuide SPHERIC is an all-new product from tonwelt - guiding solutions and rsf - museo guiding solutions. It‘s made especially for immersive visitor experiences and storytelling via 3D audio. The product is also currently running at Hôtel de la Marine in Paris and at the Pilsner Urquell Experience in Prague.

The product comes with a complete ecosystem and works with the well-known and ultra-precise tonwelt trigger points for automatic triggering in all near- and mid-field ranges; for a complete toolset to amaze visitors.

As a full-service provider, tonwelt combines content production with reliable hardware and software solutions. The firm can create creative audio and multimedia tours and apps that provide visitors with extra information and immersion and also offers selected visitor guiding systems.

Earlier this month, the V&A announced that it has begun the move of 250,000 objects, 1,000 archives and 350,000 books to its new home at V&A East Storehouse. The move will take around 12 months and will see two to four lorries moving between the sites every day.