Pointe-à-Callière’s Montréal, Tales of a City installation — conceived entirely by gsmprjct° for the Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History — employs dynamic scenography and state-of-the-art technology to create a multi-sensory experience that recounts 360 years of history in 17 minutes. But the story of how this unique permanent exhibition and its venue came to be is just as fascinating…
gsmprjct° was behind the idea of creating a contemporary area of the museum complex that would incorporate the archaeological remains that lie below the site. As the concept for the multimedia show involved having virtual historical figures appear in real sets, gsmprjct° intégration urged the project architect to work on a way of allowing the archaeological remains to truly become a part of the show. But since Montréal, Tales of a City is presented at the very birthplace of Montréal, certain things had to be taken into consideration.
Working in close collaboration with the architect, gsmprjct° intégration first determined the required shape and building specifications for a unique theatre that is suspended directly above the precious and fragile archaeological remains.
The team then went on to produce all of the components — including show control and automation, rigging, theatrical equipment, and projection systems — for Montréal, Tales of a City, which continues to serve as a spellbinding introduction to the museum.