In anticipation of the 2018 World Cup, many infrastructure projects were initiated in Russia, including the construction of a new airport in Rostov-On-Don. The 530,000-square-foot facility, the largest airport built in Europe in 20 years, was named Platov International Airport after the Cossack leader, Count Matvei Ivanovich Platov, the military general who commanded the Don Cossacks in the Napoleonic Wars.

Lorem Ipsum captured the spirit of Count Platov and the Don Cossacks across various different experiential and interactive installations at the new airport through cutting-edge technology, imaginative artwork, and high-end video production.

“A thoughtful, tech-forward exhibition”

– SURFACE MAGAZINE

The exhibition’s centerpiece is a giant cylindrical installation, lined with multiple LED displays that create a continuous screen on the interior. Tilted, with one edge almost touching the floor and the other more than eight feet off the ground, it draws visitors into viewing a short film—shot with a drone in 8K resolution—that depicts a day in the life of a Cossack three centuries ago. Visuals of galloping horses and endless plains, captured from a flight along the river Don, are augmented by audio from 16 speakers mounted around the top of the cylinder for a fully immersive experience.

We aimed to combine technological structures with significant content to create something that travelers feel compelled to share. Our film-making background and ability to portray a succinct narrative not only allowed us to capture the airport passenger’s attention but also enabled us to educate and create a memorable experience.

Since its opening in 2018, the exhibit has received multiple awards, including three German Design Awards for 2020, with a Gold Award in the Excellent Architecture and Exhibition category.

Conceived, designed, programmed, and built by Lorem Ipsum, the large-scale, two-part interactive is centered on the Cossacks’ historical garments. The first is a 3D rendering of the Cossacks’ clothing, which showcases how their uniforms developed over time. The second, an interface where visitors can virtually “try-on” outfits from various eras using their own photos.

The “Battle of Borodino,” a 24-foot-long painting derived and reimagined from a series of 19-century artworks, depicts the deadliest day of the Napoleonic Wars between the Cossacks and the French. The work of art is arresting at first glance and visually springs into life when seen through a pair of VR viewfinders that animate various characters within the scene.