CLIENT: LVR – Archaeological Park Xanten
September 2012 til May 2013

With 630,000 visitors in 2011, the LVR – Archaeological Park Xanten (LVR-APX) is one of the most-visited museums in Germany and, at the same time, one of the most important archaeological monuments in Europe. The new “Bread and Games” visitor experience, installed in the north ambulatory of the partially reconstructed amphitheatre and the three adjoining rooms (“Carcer IV–VI”), provides visitors with information on the topic of “Gladiators” in an authentic setting.

235 MEDIA installed doors with video players and audio systems with an auto-loop function in the outdoor area of the arena ambulatory. An interactive animation of a bear is installed in “Carcer V”. If visitors approach the bear’s cage, the bear rushes to the bars, stands up and growls at the visitors. If the visitors stay longer, the bear hits the bars with its paw and roars again. The interaction is based on sensor technology and Arduino programming, and the image is rear-projected.

All of the equipment is built into air-conditioned housings with self-regulating heating and ventilation in order to protect the technology from the effects of weather.

235 MEDIA planned and realised all of the installations.