AWE is proud to share that Vis AV, based in Kent, has received the prestigious URC ‘Most Unique Installation’ Award for 2025 – marking the first time this honour has gone to a company outside North America. The award recognises an exceptional project at London’s Royal Academy of Arts, where URC Total Control was central to the immersive digital experience.
An Immersive Artistic Vision
The installation formed part of the Royal Academy’s landmark retrospective of Sir Michael Craig-Martin, one of Britain’s leading conceptual artists. His first digital artwork, Cosmos, transformed a nine-by-five-metre gallery space into a vibrant, continuously evolving visual environment. The brief demanded absolute precision in colour reproduction, synchronisation, and control – all while operating reliably for the duration of the three-month exhibition.
URC Control
To meet these demands, Keith Burden of Vis AV worked with Benji Fox, Head of Audio Visual at the Royal Academy, to design a custom URC Total Control system. The setup synchronised every element of the experience, from projection to audio playback, ensuring that Craig-Martin’s vision was realised with flawless consistency.
The system featured a URC MRX processor and two TKP touch panels, allowing both intuitive gallery operation and advanced technical access:
- Simple daily control: Gallery and security staff could power the system on or off, and start or stop playback, with a single touch.
- Advanced functionality: The technical team could access in-depth configuration tools during setup and testing.
- Total reliability: Designed for unattended operation, the system ran continuously throughout opening hours, maintaining perfect sync between audio and video.
Seamless Integration
URC Total Control provided seamless coordination across the installation’s technologies, including Epson EB-PQ2220B 4K laser projectors, Blackmagic Hyperdecks, PMC CI Series loudspeakers, and Tascam DA64 multi-channel playback. With dedicated control and Dante audio networks, Vis AV achieved precise management of each projector and speaker channel, enhancing both creative flexibility and troubleshooting.
“The control system had two lives,” explained Keith Burden, Director at Vis AV. “During pre-production we could restart at any part of the film, and once installed, it became simple enough for anyone to operate with just four buttons – start, stop, on and off.”
Recognising Innovation and Excellence
URC praised the project for pushing the boundaries of what is possible with Total Control, blending robust engineering with artistic expression. The award highlights the versatility of URC systems, extending far beyond residential applications to deliver precise, dependable control in commercial and cultural environments.
A Proud Partnership
As the UK distributor of URC, AWE congratulates Vis AV on this remarkable achievement. The project stands as a testament to the capability and reliability of URC control systems – delivering the performance, flexibility, and ease of operation that professional environments demand.
Discover URC with AWE
URC Total Control offers installers a powerful, scalable platform suitable for both residential and commercial projects. To learn more or book a demonstration, contact AWE or visit www.awe-europe.com.
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