To celebrate the grand re-opening of the Royal Festival Hall a 48-hour ‘Gamelanathon’ was held during the Overture Festival, to mark the return of the gamelan to Southbank Centre and the re-launch of the gamelan programme.
Our approach aimed at reintroducing the gamelan as a “forgotten gift” to the British people from the Indonesian people. The instrument boxes where rethought as “gift boxes” and new ones were specially made displaying comprehensible information to entice visitors to use as audience seats during the performances and actively participate; and by doing so gain a clearer understanding of the gamelan as a whole.
Our design also integrated a recognisable identity for the musical ensemble, with its custom made typeface and graphics labelling the different categories of instruments.
We created a playful environment that was both lively and engaging; where audiences of all ages were offered an exciting experience that included them in the event and the boxes continue to live on as a multiuse kit for the Southbank Centre's portable gamelan.