INTO THE NORTHERN LIGHTS

An immersive multimedia environment transports visitors into the Canadian North to experience the awe-inspiring essence of the aurora borealis.

Creative communications agency Praytell invited Moment Factory to collaborate on “Into the Northern Lights”, a temporary multimedia installation for Destination Canada. The interactive space was the main attraction of a winter tourism campaign positioned to promote Canada, the home of winter, to a US audience. Held inside Manhattan’s iconic Grand Central Terminal, the free-flow experience drew in more than 10,000 participants over a three-day period.

“Into the Northern Lights” invited visitors to interact with an artistic interpretation of the aurora borealis by influencing its shape, movement and colour. The experience was brought to life using an LED screen floor, a mirrored ceiling, a 360° audio system, and 3D sensors. Visitor movement captured in real-time influenced a mesmerizing display of dancing light and evocative sound.

Dynamic visual content evolved over the course of three sequences, each featuring its own unique colour palette and interactive effects. In a state of constant transformation, the space generated countless interactive surprises and shareable moments. The artful simulation was enhanced by a musical soundscape that combined the rhythms of the Northern wind, piano, and traditional Inuit throat singing by Indigenous musical duo Tarniriik.