Revealing the secrets of the Sistine Chapel through inspiring effects
// 2018
// Theatre Show
// Italy
The Sistine Chapel is Michelangelo’s masterpiece and an icon of artistic genius. The final section he completed was the altar wall: Guidizio Universale, or The Last Judgement. ‘Giudizio Universale: Michelangelo and the Secrets of the Sistine Chapel’ brings this genius to life, using physical performance, dance, music composed by Sting, technology and special effects.
Created by Marco Balich and co-directed by Lulu Helbek, with scientific advice from the Vatican Museums, the show debuted on 15 March 2018 at the Auditorium Conciliazione in Rome.
Audiences are immersed in the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel through a specially-built vault, spanning 27m over the seats to create a 270° digital projection surface with over 1000m2 of projection area. This area is complemented by a more traditional staging area for scenery and performance, giving audiences a more human dimension than video alone.
During the show, the video projections take you on a journey through the mind of Michelangelo as he creates the work, while performers and scenery interact to change the perspective of the space even more. The result is an immersive and thrilling artistic experience, blurring the digital and physical to create an impact worthy of the subject.
Technical details
// 27m ceiling span/projection space
// 12m high ceiling
// 1000m2 total projection area.
// 270° projection
Credits
Show Director Lulu Helbek Creative Director Marco Balich Producer Balich Worldwide Shows, Production Manager Michele Telaro, Composer John Metcalfe + Sting Lighting Design Bruno Poet + Rob Halliday Costume Design Giovanna Buzzi Sound Design Mirko Perri Video Design & Animation Luke Halls.
