Oorlog Dichtbij – Immersive Audio Experience

Bringing History to Life Through Sound – An Immersive WWII Audio Experience.

In the exhibition Oorlog Dichtbij, visitors step into the wartime history of Groningen, experiencing personal stories woven into the broader themes of freedom, resistance, and oppression. Hosted in the historic Akerk, a location deeply marked by its wartime past, this exhibition commemorates 80 years of liberation.

For this project, we designed and produced 15 immersive audio stories for the audio tour, bringing historical narratives to life through spatialized sound. These stories guide visitors through the exhibition, immersing them in the voices and atmospheres of the past. Additionally, we created two immersive soundscapes, played live in the exhibition space, that amplify the emotional and sensory depth of the experience.

A key element in this production was historical accuracy in sound. To truly transport visitors back in time, we used authentic recordings of World War II-era planes, tanks, cannons, and military vehicles—carefully selected and integrated to create a historically immersive experience. These sounds serve as an auditory time capsule, preserving the essence of the era and reinforcing the exhibition’s powerful storytelling.

This project was commissioned by tapart and all audio production was done by Sphere of Sound. The exhibition was curated by Martin Hillenga and designed by Paul&Albert.