A small note on the Anxious Arrivals escalator, as I think it is a beautiful example of how we work in an interdisciplinary way at CREW. After developing the Anxious Arrivals staircase, I wanted to add another spatial mechanic. The goal was to create a growing sense of anticipation and anxiety towards the end of the experience.

We have tons of old tools and gadgets lying around at CREW, and I came across the “ButtKicker,” a tactile feedback device similar to a loudspeaker, often used in racing simulators. I created a basic mechanic in the game engine: when you step onto a plate, you are transported onto a simple virtual escalator, while the structure vibrates in the physical world. This creates a much more intense sensation than the virtual experience alone.

Eric remarked that it would be good to develop the physical part further, so that people could also hold onto it. We contacted Herman Venderickx, our freelance set-piece maker, while Lawrence Kudria developed the 3D model and animation based on scans.

In the end, we created a beautiful “phygital” object that became one of the highlights of the experience. People spiral high into the vault of our ruined Antwerp Central Station and are then invited to step into the void. Many do not, as the effect is quite overwhelming. Reactions included: “My brain says it’s okay, but my body says no,” and, “I didn’t do it. I learned something about myself, and I’m not sure I like it.”