**The Power of Music and the Human Brain: “Brainstorms: A Great Gig in the Sky”**
The intersection of art and science has always been a captivating subject, and now, it takes center stage in “Brainstorms: A Great Gig in the Sky.” This live interactive experience, set to the music of Pink Floyd, offers exhibition visitors the option to have their brain activity recorded while listening to “The Dark Side of the Moon” and see it displayed as a mesmerizing cloud synchronized to the same soundtrack.
Immersive art venues have been gaining popularity worldwide, featuring renowned painters whose works blend seamlessly with the surroundings. However, “Brainstorms” takes a unique approach by combining art, music, and live elements. In this sense, it shares similarities with “ABBA Voyage,” both using technology as an enabler rather than the main focus.
While advanced technology, such as Emotiv EEG headsets and Unreal-powered visualizations, plays a role behind the scenes, the starting point of the Brainstorms project was Richard Wright’s music. Gala Wright, Richard’s daughter, sought to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the album that featured her father’s iconic composition, “The Great Gig in the Sky.” Composer and music technologist JJ Wiesler, co-founder of Pollen Music Group, worked alongside Gala to bring their ideas to life.
The project took a turn towards neuroscience and the study of the human brain’s reaction to music. The team partnered with Dolby to record the brain activity of 125 volunteers listening to “The Great Gig in the Sky,” resulting in the creation of “Aurora.” This immersive experience transports visitors to an arctic tundra illuminated by the moon, transitioning into an awe-inspiring aurora borealis.
Frameless, the immersive art gallery hosting “Brainstorms,” provides four galleries for the exhibition. In addition to “Aurora,” the team created “Eclipse” and enlisted music artist Imogen Heap for a bird-inspired room called “Murmur.” The visualization in “Murmur” offers a glimpse into how the same music can affect different people. Participants learn that the visualizations reflect the emotions others felt while listening to Pink Floyd.
Each room in the exhibition has unique features that respond to brain activity. In “Aurora,” engagement triggers red hues, relaxation adds a calming blue, and excitement enlivens the movement of the aurora. In “Eclipse,” brain activity fuels solar activity, aligning with the sun’s surface activity. Visitors who choose to have their brain activity recorded receive a summary and personalized visualization of their experience a few days later.
The Cloud Gallery is another highlight of “Brainstorms.” Inspired by Richard Wright’s passion for photography, the gallery combines cloud formations with data and neuroscience, creating a captivating visualization of visitors’ brain activity.
With rising interest in the effects of music on the brain, Pink Floyd’s music proves to be a perfect fit for this immersive exhibition. Due to popular demand, “Brainstorms” has already added new dates to its London residency, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see it expand to other cities and immersive venues worldwide. From ASMR to brain-themed museum exhibitions, our fascination with the relationship between music and the human brain continues to grow.