Magian worked with staff at the Sovereign Hill Gold Mining site museum to design, develop and produce media for a new exhibit at this historic site in Ballarat, Australia.

The Museum made a major shift in electing to use media to expand the depth and nature of their interpretation.

The Chinese Village exhibit tells the story of Chinese migration to Australia in the mid-nineteenth century following the discovery of gold. Working hard but isolated by race and institutional discrimination, the story of Chinese miners has not been well known until recently.

Magian produced two theater experiences as well as three touchscreen programs embedded in small buildings recreated to show living and working conditions for a Chinese doctor or herbalist, a scribe and a storekeeper. The content delivered through these programs enhances visitor understanding of Chinese culture. The story is also told, of the very real political and practical obstacles confronting Chinese miners as they struggled to work within the laws erected to impede their success.

Magian was also responsible for designing and developing rich soundscapes that breathe life into the already rich physical exhibit. We also scripted and recorded actor’s voices, which add an additional layer of content to the visitor experience and to the ambient soundscape.