The Crime Museum

+ Show Info

Client

Museums of History NSW

Services

Exhibition/Installation
Digital

Sector

Cultural

SUPERSENSE revitalised one of the most visited exhibitions with the Justice and Sydney Police museum - the Crime Museum - to create an immersive interpretive experience. The exhibition design combines display of 80 homemade and augmented weapons with a digital animated display of police photos from the early 20th Century. Dubbed a ‘chamber of horrors’ by journalists, the museum contains many weird and gruesome objects, including homemade weapons and items used in notorious murders.
The animated selection of images is from a collection of glass-plate negatives created by NSW Police between 1920 and 1930 as part of its investigations. These remarkably candid and highly detailed mugshots were called ‘Specials’ by police.
SUPERSENSE created a polished steel table reminiscent of a mortuary autopsy table, a series of 'strong box' showcases to display weapons and evocative spot lighting to set the scene. Visitors are invited to interact with the exhibition by photographing themselves in a bent wood prop chair similar to the ones shown in the "Specials' photos.

Mountmaker

Kevin Bray

AV and Motion Graphics Collaborator

Carl Whitbread

The Crime Museum

Object display and digital elements are woven together to create a sensory experience that is more than a sum of its parts

SUPERSENSE revitalised one of the most visited exhibitions with the Justice and Sydney Police museum - the Crime Museum - to create an immersive interpretive experience.

Three glass cases displaying a series of weapons alongside audiovisual interpretation at the Justice and Police Museum, enhancing heritage interpretation

Design features a plinth reminiscent of a mortuary autopsy table, steel ‘strongbox’ showcases and is emphasised by dramatic spot lighting, animated by the glow of the digital display.

Side view showcasing glass displays with reflections of digital interpretation images refracting off the front glass panel
Close-up of various ornate knives and blades of different sizes and styles
Visitor examining the interpretation panel adjacent to a showcase of weapons at the Justice and Police Museum
Close-up of knuckle dusters and maces within the exhibition showcase

The ‘Specials’ photos - collection of portraits created by New South Wales Police Department photographers between 1910 and 1930. These photos were mostly taken in the cells at the Central Police Station, Sydney and are, as curator Peter Doyle explains, of "men and women recently plucked from the street, often still animated by the dramas surrounding their apprehension".

Visitor observing objects within a glass showcase at the Justice and Police Museum exhibition
Folded pamphlet-style panels in olive green, set against a backdrop of the same colour

SUPERSENSE revitalised one of the most visited exhibitions with the Justice and Sydney Police museum - the Crime Museum - to create an immersive interpretive experience.

Three glass cases displaying a series of weapons alongside audiovisual interpretation at the Justice and Police Museum, enhancing heritage interpretation

Design features a plinth reminiscent of a mortuary autopsy table, steel ‘strongbox’ showcases and is emphasised by dramatic spot lighting, animated by the glow of the digital display.

Side view showcasing glass displays with reflections of digital interpretation images refracting off the front glass panel
Close-up of various ornate knives and blades of different sizes and styles
Visitor examining the interpretation panel adjacent to a showcase of weapons at the Justice and Police Museum
Close-up of knuckle dusters and maces within the exhibition showcase

The ‘Specials’ photos - collection of portraits created by New South Wales Police Department photographers between 1910 and 1930. These photos were mostly taken in the cells at the Central Police Station, Sydney and are, as curator Peter Doyle explains, of "men and women recently plucked from the street, often still animated by the dramas surrounding their apprehension".

Visitor observing objects within a glass showcase at the Justice and Police Museum exhibition
Folded pamphlet-style panels in olive green, set against a backdrop of the same colour

Next project

Circular interpretation panel formed from a collage of photographs on a blue, water-like background, with visitors viewing, enhancing cultural immersion experience

Parramatta Aquatic Centre

Interpreting history and connection to community