This summer, St George’s Hall became the stunning backdrop for Eonarium Enlightenment, a spectacular immersive light show.
Roman Beranek, Creative Director and Partner of Projektil the creative organisation behind this unique event, shares the inspiration and technical challenges of bringing this visual and auditory masterpiece to life.
Photography by Matt Wild
As Creative Director for Eonarium Enlightenment at Projektil, it has been an incredible journey bringing this immersive light show to life at St George’s Hall. The Hall, with its rich cultural and architectural legacy, has always been a symbol of Liverpool’s history, its 170th anniversary felt perfectly timed to honour its grandeur, while also reimagining it through the lens of modern technology.
Working with Fever, we set out to create a sensory experience that would take audiences on a journey through the four seasons. The inspiration for the show came from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons – piece that beautifully captures the cycle of life and time. But rather than simply present this classical work as it is, we reimagined it – blending the old with the new – and created a fresh arrangement of the music, recorded by a symphony orchestra, to accompany the stunning visuals we had in mind.
St George’s Hall itself became an integral part of the show. The building isn’t just a backdrop; it is woven into the experience. We used advanced 3D modelling to ensure every projection enhanced the Hall’s majestic architecture, from its towering columns to the grand ceilings. The challenge, of course, was to ensure that the technology amplified the beauty of the Hall without overshadowing it. I believe we achieved that balance, creating a perfect harmony between history and innovation.
There are certain moments in the show that stand out for me, particularly the sequences ‘Samsara’ and ‘Nirvana’. These scenes are a profound exploration of life’s cycles and ultimate enlightenment.
The dynamic transformation of the Hall’s walls into a moving depiction of the seasons was another highlight. Watching the building come to life, alongside the powerful reimagining of Vivaldi’s score, was a truly unforgettable moment for us all.
While Eonarium Enlightenment was unique to St George’s Hall, it forms part of a wider Eonariumseries. The concept is adaptable to different historic venues, each one bringing its own character and atmosphere to the performance. Our aim at Projektil is to continue blending heritage and technology in a way that complements and enhances the venues features without disrupting its historical integrity.
Bringing such an advanced show into a Grade I listed building like St George’s Hall wasn’t without its challenges. We were determined to respect the architectural integrity of the Hall. This meant conducting a meticulous 3D scan of the space, ensuring every projection was mapped with precision and that the visual elements worked in harmony with the historic fabric of the building. The result, I believe, is a show that not only preserves but also highlights the Hall’s grandeur, showing how technology can be used to celebrate history.
For me, Eonarium Enlightenment is a testament to how historic venues can evolve. St George’s Hall continues to captivate and inspire, standing as a cultural landmark that marries the past with the possibilities of the future. It has been an honour to be part of this journey, and I look forward to seeing how this series grows and evolves at other historic locations.
To date, the show has attracted approximately 63,000 visitors and was originally scheduled to finish on 29th September but due to popular demand, Fever and St. George’s Hall have teamed up to extend the light show, adding new dates in October.
Enlightenment is an unmissable experience for admirers of music, art and history alike.
Read more and book: https://bit.ly/EnornariumEnlightenment
