Event Horizon

“Prof. Ing. Dimitrie Leonida” National Technical Museum in Bucharest is hosting an installation titled “Event Horizon”, which offers visitors an immersive experience inspired by black holes

Ion Puican, 25.04.2026, 12:00

“Prof. Ing. Dimitrie Leonida” National Technical Museum in Bucharest is hosting an installation titled “Event Horizon”, which offers visitors an immersive experience inspired by one of the most fascinating phenomena in the universe: black holes. The installation was created by the H3 studio. The work uses two holographic screens and synchronized projections to create the illusion of an object suspended in space, with an almost three-dimensional visual effect. The concept is based on real phenomena in physics, such as extreme gravitational force or the warping of matter near a black hole, translated here into an accessible and spectacular visual form. We spoke with Răzvan Pascu, founder of H3, about the installation:

“The idea for the ‘Event Horizon’ installation came to me when I applied to the Bright Festival in Florence. At that point, I was already experimenting with this medium of projections on transparent screens, and I really wanted to bring all our experiments together into a single piece. That’s how we got ‘Event Horizon.’ Basically, what we’re able to do—what we realized we’d achieved through experimentation—is that by intersecting the two holographic screens and controlling both the content and the rhythm of the projections, we manage to create the illusion of volume, of a suspended three-dimensional body. We call this effect 2.5D. Basically, a very convincingly real image forms right before the eye.”

In conjunction with the reopening of the technical museum’s historic wing, the “Event Horizon” installation also marks the beginning of a new relationship between technical heritage and contemporary art. Răzvan Pascu told us  how the theme of the installation was chosen by the H3 studio:

 “We chose the theme of black holes because we’re interested in topics related to space and the exploration of the universe. And many pieces in our portfolio reference astrophysical phenomena. As for black holes specifically, I think we chose them because the first image of a black hole, captured by researchers, was released in 2019. Also, Christopher Nolan’s film “Interstellar” had a huge impact on us. And generally, we’re part of the “Space Team,” as they say. We’re followers and enthusiasts of the new space exploration race. Of the new initiatives to conquer space. This is how we contribute and express this passion.”

How did the creators of the installation manage to translate this astronomical phenomenon into a visual installation for the general public?

 “We translate the phenomenon of black holes—which is still difficult to imagine—allowing us to see how we feel about the concept, where it takes us, and how we might illustrate certain phenomena. What would be the visual translation of aspects related to black holes? How can we translate it into sound, because the soundtrack is just as important. Together, the experience of the “Event Horizon” installation is very visceral and powerful. It’s also conceived as an immersive installation, both audio and video. We, too, explore, let’s say, the mechanism for visually translating what we know or what we learn about a concept. Specifically, when the visitor enters the “Event Horizon” installation, they see, hear, and experience a continuous immersive experience synesthetically, beyond the screens. Because the screens are holographic and allow projections to fill the entire space. They experience the closeness—certainly metaphorical—of a black hole. States, physical effects, and effects on light are simulated and artistically interpreted.”

Beyond its technological aspect, the installation also invites reflection: on what we know and, above all, on what we still cannot fully understand about the universe. Răzvan Pascu explained the scientific basis that inspired the artists who created the black hole installation at the National Technical Museum:

  “The work ‘Event Horizon’ draws on scientific findings and real concepts from physics. The name ‘Event Horizon’ itself refers to a theoretical point near black holes where gravitational pull is infinite. Essentially, no form of matter or energy can escape from this point. Not even light. And here we’re talking about physical phenomena, such as light bending—light that bends nowhere in the universe. The gravitational force is so strong near black holes that light is warped. Or another effect we’re exploring artistically is spaghettification. In a theoretical scenario where you’d approach a black hole, all your particles would stretch out—you’d be spaghettified—and you’d see different versions of yourself frozen in time. So time and space take on different dimensions near black holes and within black holes. And certainly, the actual entry point, where we have essentially decoded all the mysteries of the world, which are thus transformed into sacred geometry, mathematics, and these primary forms.” (MI)