The journey we’ve walked with Art of Multimedia is nothing short of extraordinary. They didn’t just take on a job, they continue to pour their spirit into helping us build the Murrook legacy, championing our humble rise to being recognised as a global prize winner for ‘storytelling’ in Aboriginal culture. Without their tireless passion and selfless contribution, stories such as Gimbaybiyn Gilanggaray remain untold.
Andrew Smith
CEO, Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council
Following the acclaimed success of Experience Murrook. Change Forever, the Worimi Local Aboriginal Land Council commissioned Art of Multimedia to create a new immersive exhibit celebrating the rich avian life found on Worimi Country. Utilising the proven capacity of Murrook's spectacular 9-metre by 2.4-metre curved LED walls, permanently housed at Murrook, AOM designed Birds of Worimi Country to highlight the intimacy between the diverse bird species, that serve as both ecological indicators and cultural messengers.
This exhibit transforms the key digital canvas at Murrook into a living, breathing landscape where visitors get acquainted with the native birds in their natural habitats. Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos, Bell Miners, Laughing Kookaburras, Willie Wagtails, Wedge-tailed Eagles, Pied Currawongs, Australian Magpies, and Eastern Rosellas become the storytellers, each revealed through visitor interaction and celebrated through their distinctive calls and songs.
The Experience
As visitors walk into the curved LED doubled-wall space, they're surrounded by ancient eucalypts, paperbark trees, and coastal vegetation swaying gently in the breeze and a sweeping vista of coastal Country generated into stunning photorealism.
Interactive sensors detect visitor presence, triggering birds to emerge from behind the foliage, accompanied by authentic bird calls. A flash of crimson & blue signals an Eastern Rosella while the distinctive silhouette of a White-bellied Sea Eagle soars overhead. From the raucous laughter of the Kookaburra to the haunting cry of the Black Cockatoo echoing through the forest canopy, this immersive installation breathes life into the avian wonders of the Australian bush.
Technical Implementation
Leveraging against existing infrastructure, AOM created an entirely new interactive experience to complement Murrooks temporary exhibition
AI assisted content generation: AOM used a combination of AI-assisted tools and traditional compositing methods to recreate detailed digital environments based on the birds’ natural habitats. Generative AI was used to re-animate selected bird species and poses, which are triggered by visitor interaction. This approach gave greater control over pose variation and movement, allowing for more dynamic bird behaviour while maintaining a high level of photorealism.
Spatial Audio Design: A multi-channel sound system encases visitors in an authentic soundscape, with bird calls spatially positioned to match screen locations, creating an acoustic immersive environment that brings the visual experience to life.
Intelligent Interaction: Proximity sensors trigger and "reveal" birds hidden in the landscape, allowing visitors to guide their own discovery with freedom and delight.
Conservation Storytelling
Celebrating the beauty and diversity of our local bird life, the entire Gimbaybiyn Gilanggaray Feathered Friends exhibition subtly introduces ecological themes. Visitors learn which birds are endemic to the region and those that migrate; all of which are crucial to maintaining a healthy Country. The experience honours local knowledge of the species while connecting contemporary conservation science with Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
The exhibit demonstrates both a versatility and longevity of Murrooks digital infrastructure, proving that cutting-edge interpretive technology can evolve with community priorities and curatorial vision.
The exhibition attracts return visitors, engages school groups studying Australian biodiversity and, delights families while deepening connection and understanding of the intricate relationships held with wildlife. Murrooks is successfully positioned as a leading cultural institution using innovative digital interpretation to share Aboriginal culture and environmental knowledge in ways that are both playful and educational.
Art of Multimedia is honoured to support this exhibition through a pro-bono contribution, reflecting our ongoing commitment to the Worimi community and our broader practice of partnering with cultural institutions to bring important stories to life. This approach aligns with our ethos of prioritising meaningful work that deepens public understanding of Aboriginal culture and environmental stewardship.
