The Hettema Group (THG) recently introduced the first in a series of pop-up installations to Los Angeles’ Union Station, with various events to run at the station through the summer months.

The interactive media installation, Union Station 360º, ran from 15 July to 24 July and was the first in a series of free art events and concerts aiming to transform the transit hub into a public destination.

The experience was formed of two installations on the station’s south plaza which aimed to capture the essence of the diverse aspects of Los Angeles. The first was a large, touch-sensitive, interactive projection sphere, which was combined with a projection canopy overhead and set to an original score, demonstrating Union Station and the entire transit system as a connecting force within Los Angeles.

A series of giant projection screens were also installed within the archways of the arcade leading to the plaza, where when guests stepped on interactive circles on the floor, the media on the screens reacted – changing from everyday shots of passengers circulating through the interior of Union Station to head-on shots of oncoming trains.

The media-driven pop-up attraction was the creation of THG founder and creative director, Phil Hettema, who said the installation harkened back to the early days of his career.

“Union Station is a real architectural gem in the heart of Los Angeles. They really want to bring people back down to LA which is coming to life and to create some excitement and celebrate that,” said Hettema, speaking to Attractions Management.

“In my early career I worked on the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics so this is kind of going back to some of that. I love this kind of work. It’s fun to create something out of nothing and try to really surprise people with a space they’re familiar with, reinventing something that’s already there.”

On 7 August Union Station debuted its second public installation – Cabinet of Curiosities – which features pieces by Los Angeles artists that must be viewed through a peephole in the station’s Grand Waiting Room.

The initial season of programming will go through the summer, with plans for further events during Christmas and then through 2017.

“Union Station was very happy with our installation and it increased visitation,” said Hettema. “There’s a number of different kind of events running through the summer. We were the first big installation and would be delighted to do more work with them. We’ve had some preliminary discussions but this is a new programme for them so they have to get through the summer first. It’s very exciting.”

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