It was an absolute honor and a creative highlight to collaborate with the acclaimed musician and producer Max Cooper on his immersive installation, “Reflections of Being.” As a key content collaborator, I was tasked with developing the audio-reactive visuals that formed the beating heart of this unique experience.
The installation, exhibited at London's prestigious Barbican Centre as part of their "Feel The Sound" exhibition, was a profound exploration of human connection. It was born from anonymous quotes and feelings submitted by the public, which also inspired Max's album On Being. The vision was to place the audience directly inside the art—enveloping them in a world of spatial audio, tactile sound, and interactive visuals.
My work involved translating Max’s intricate sonic landscapes and the deep emotional currents of the source material into a living, breathing visual tapestry. The visuals were designed to react and evolve in real-time with the music, creating a seamless and deeply personal journey for each visitor. In a key interactive feature, visitors' own shadows became windows through semi-transparent layers, revealing glimpses of others and reflecting the project's theme of anonymous, shared humanity.
I am immensely grateful to Max Cooper for his visionary direction and for entrusting me with such a vital part of this project. Collaborating with an artist of his calibre, who so masterfully blends complex emotional ideas with cutting-edge technology, was an inspiring and unforgettable experience. It was a privilege to help build this space for introspection and connection.
The installation was met with incredible reception, beautifully captured by the press:
“Walking into Reflections of Being…feels like entering a rave as coruscating synths and deep bass are paired with flashing images of cities, crowds and what looks like molecular biology - the whole tapestry of humanity morphing and warping before your eyes.” — Financial Times
"Anyone fancy a subwoofer massage? The show that shakes you senseless." — The Guardian
Project Credits
A project of this scale is only possible with a team of brilliant minds. My gratitude extends to the entire crew:
Concept & Music: Max Cooper
Content Collaborators: Tom VR, Kevin McGloughlin, Páraic McGloughlin, Enda Bowe, and Hayk Zakoyan
Fabrication: Objects for Art
Production: Patrick Robinson and Digi-pad
Text-based mapping system: Mark Webster
