moment factory illuminates montreal's notre-dame basilica with multi-sensory installation

moment factory creates an ambitious multi-sensory experience inside the gothic interior of montréal’s notre-dame basilica. the 45-minute installation, AURA, combines sound, light, and colorful projections to enhance the existing architecture and emphasize important elements of the gothic style interior. the designers describe, ‘AURA was born out of a desire to bring this iconic heritage landmark to life in a new way. the project uses intricate projection-mapping technology to highlight the intricacy and beauty of the basilica’s majestic architecture and sacred art while framing it as a dynamic part of montreal’s history and spirituality.’

moment factory collaborates with montreal’s notre-dame basilica to create a multi-sensory immersive experience
all images courtesy of moment factory

moment factory’s 45 minute installation is divided into two acts. before the presentation, the visitors are encouraged to travel through the basilica, taking in all facets of the complex interior and its artworks. the basilica’s architecture then comes alive and envelops the spectator from the pews. montréal’s notre-dame basilica was designed in 1824 by irish-american architect james o’donnell. the project for o’donnell’s church was conceived in 2015 by moment factory in collaboration with paroisse notre-dame, the managers of the basilica. because of the multi-faceted nature of the project, the team required a year to complete the vision which included musical compositions and recordings. after all the elements were completed, individually, the project took 90 days to install and an additional month of testing.

the design team analyzed the space to create an installation that works with the existing architecture

to understand the cathedral architecture, which acts as the canvas for moment factory’s installation, the team completed a 3-D scan of the interior using computer software specifically developed for the project. with this understanding of the space, the project would require 21 projectors, 140 lights, and 20 mirrors. the accompanying original soundtrack was composed by marc bell and gabriel thibaudeau and required 30 musicians, 20 chorists and the basilica’s organ.

the basilica’s interior functions as the installation’s canvas

the production runs twice every evening, 6 days a week

the lights, projections, and mirrors are installed throughout the space to create the overall effect

the basilica was designed in the gothic style in 1824 by irish-american architect james o’donnell

the design team created software that was able to 3-D scan an model the interior

after a year of work, the project 90 days to install and a month of testing

the accompanying music was an original score composed by marc bell and gabriel thibaudeau

the show reinforces the basilica’s identity as a cultural and artistic destination

the experience begins with a self-led tour around the basilica

after familiarizing oneself with the gothic interior, visitors sit in the pews to watch moment factory’s production

all aspects of the interior are integrated into the visual presentation which runs for 45 minutes

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