Masterpiece inspires millions
13. March 2025
The Wave: A masterpiece from the Tabakfabrik inspires millions
The impressive ocean projection “The Wave” in the Gasometer Oberhausen (North Germany) has been attracting numerous visitors for a year now. The creative idea and the talented team behind this unique exhibition come from Tabakfabrik Linz. More precisely, from Ars Electronica Solutions (AES), one of the first tenants in this innovation hotspot.
The idea for “The Wave” was born at Tabakfabrik in early 2023. The team (led by project manager Ina Badics) developed an immersive experience that takes visitors virtually under the surface of the water. The exhibition opened in March 2024. Since then, more than one million visitors have seen “The Wave”.
Lifelike on 1,200 square meters
The installation shows lifelike animations of the underwater world on 1,200 square meters and requires a room that is at least 100 meters high and can be completely darkened. The wave was therefore customized for the Gasometer Oberhausen by the Linz AES team.
“Our projection surface consists of a 40-metre-high vertical wall and a translucent horizontal screen, which is projected onto by seven projectors. The resolution is 60 million pixels,” explains Markus Wipplinger, who works at CASABLANCA.
DIrk Boettger
SIGMA
An immersive experience – from Linz out into the world
Before visitors can experience the ocean up close on this horizontal screen and hear the impressive sound experience, many test setups are required. These were carried out in the Tabakfabrik. The studios for this are located on the third floor of the CASABLANCA building and in the Artist Space in the FALK building.
This immersive experience will be available in Linz in the future. AES is currently working on “Deep Sea”, an adaptation of the installation “The Wave” specially adapted for Deep Space at the Ars Electronica Center (AEC ). This will bring the visual experience from the Gasometer Oberhausen to Linz.
Teamwork overcomes challenges
The development of “The Wave” presented the team with technical and creative challenges, particularly in the animation of jellyfish.
Project manager Ina Badics: “The close cooperation of all those involved was crucial in order to harmoniously combine the various artistic and technical elements. The technology served as a tool to realize the artistic vision. The music complements the visual elements and creates an independent level of perception.”
Great feedback from the client
“From the initial planning to the final implementation of our joint immersive project ‘The Wave’ for the ‘Planet Ocean’ exhibition in the Gasometer Oberhausen, the Ars Electronica Solutions team impressed not only with their creativity, but also with their professionalism and commitment. Visions were transformed into a tangible concept. The subsequent planning and implementation was characterized by good technical expertise and went smoothly and without complications. That’s why one thing is certain for us: Ars Electronica Solutions – anytime and gladly again!” Jeannette Schmitz, Managing Director of the Gasometer Oberhausen.
