In the heart of London, where art and technology often intersect, a unique exhibition is captivating audiences. Titled “Brainstorms: A Great Gig in The Sky,” this event is a fusion of Pink Floyd’s legendary music, immersive art, and cutting-edge neuroscience. Hosted at the Frameless Gallery in Marble Arch, the exhibition runs on Friday and Saturday evenings throughout June.
Frameless has already made a name for itself with its immersive art exhibitions, blending classic artwork with advanced animated visuals. However, Brainstorms takes this concept to a new level by incorporating neuroscience to visualize how the brain responds to Pink Floyd’s iconic 1973 album, “The Dark Side of the Moon.”
The idea for Brainstorms emerged from a collaboration between San Francisco’s Pollen Music Group and Richard Wright Music Limited. Gala Wright, daughter of the late Pink Floyd keyboardist Richard Wright, met Richard Warp, a composer and sound designer for Pollen Music Group, at a party. This meeting occurred as the 50th anniversary of “The Dark Side of the Moon” approached, and Wright was seeking a unique way to honor her father’s contribution to the album. Warp, who had long been fascinated by how bioactivity could drive interactive experiences, saw Pink Floyd’s “space rock” as a perfect match for this innovative project.
Warp explained that while much research has been done on how the brain responds to music, it typically occurs in a lab setting. He wanted to bring this science to the public, creating a visual representation of brain activity in response to music. This vision materialized in Brainstorms, where the immersive art concept of Frameless is paired with neuroscience to create a unique experience.
The centerpiece of the exhibition is a room dedicated to “The Great Gig in the Sky,” a classic track written by Richard Wright. Pollen Music Group’s creative director, JJ Weisler, explained that the team had access to the original master tapes of the track, a rare privilege. This access allowed them to create a unique Dolby Atmos mix specifically designed for the room at Frameless. The team used architectural diagrams and speaker specifications to tailor the sound design precisely for the space.
The visuals, referred to as the “Aurora,” are representations of the accumulated brain data of 125 people who listened to the track in Dolby Atmos. Weisler likened the process to movie-making, where some control is ceded to the brain data. The visuals grow and change color based on the brain’s response to the music, creating an immersive and dynamic experience.
The highlight of the exhibition is undoubtedly “The Great Gig in the Sky.” The track builds atmospherically from a specially written intro, with familiar chords that have power, scale, and space. The subtle, rainbow-like visuals complement the music perfectly. Some visitors chose to lie down on the floor, close their eyes, and let the music move around them, creating an intoxicating experience.
For those opting for the VIP package, the experience includes sitting in a special tent while wearing headphones and a headset that captures brain activity in real-time. This data is visualized as an animated 3D cloud that moves, glows, and pulsates, representing how the brain responds to the music. The cloud grows when the track is exciting, glows when intense, and remains relatively static when calm.
During the preview event, none other than Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour made an appearance, expressing his admiration for the exhibition. His presence added an extra layer of excitement to an already thrilling experience.
Tickets for Brainstorms are on sale now, with prices starting at £30. A limited number of VIP tickets, which include the brain data capture experience, are also available. This unique exhibition offers a rare opportunity to experience the music of Pink Floyd in a completely new way, blending art, music, and neuroscience to create an unforgettable experience.
Brainstorms: A Great Gig in The Sky is a testament to the enduring legacy of Pink Floyd and the innovative ways in which art and technology can intersect. For fans of the band and those interested in the latest advancements in neuroscience, this exhibition is not to be missed.
