FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth

Please note: This event took place in July 2025

Immersive Exhibition

FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth bears witness to the landscape of our changing world. Spread across multiple screens and taking over the whole gallery space, step into this haunting and meditative immersive artwork by award-winning UK artists ScanLAB Projects.

This is the second exhibition at Undershed – the new gallery at Watershed that shows the best immersive and interactive artwork from across the globe.

This experience is suitable for all ages, but parental guidance is advised. Please note that the artwork contains flashing images, which may affect those with photosensitive epilepsy.

FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth

A unique portrait of the British landscape in flux, this artwork tells a story of great change caused by human industry and the immense forces of nature.

Pieced together from thousands of daily 3D time-lapse scans, this process of change becomes visible on a scale impossible to see with the lens of a traditional camera – or with the human eye.

In a dark room, you are surrounded by meditative imagery as sounds drift through the space.

A pumpkin grows. Spring breaks. A thousand tonnes of steel are crushed. Sand ebbs and flows while a cliff retreats. 268 cows are milked. Leaves turn to amber. 519 pints of milk are drunk.

In the context of our rapidly changing planet and by moving through moments of destruction, extraction, harvest, construction, growth and erosion - FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth asks you to think and feel in another time scale: geological time, seasonal time, tidal time.

What to expect

Taking over the whole of the Undershed gallery, this artwork uses both groundbreaking visuals and beautifully designed sound.

When you arrive, you enter the welcome area first before going onwards into the dark space of the gallery.

Once inside, there are eight large screens spread out around the space. These screens are the only source of light and, while most are vertical, two lie on the floor and one hangs from the ceiling.

Stand, sit, lie down, keep moving – the way you choose to focus on different details and moments is up to you.

The piece runs as a 25-minute continuous loop, if you would like to enter at the beginning, you can speak to the Gallery Assistant.

"What would change if we took seriously the consideration that the world is alive?"

- Bayo Akomolafe, Philosopher, Professor, and Poet

Three screen showing what the FRAMERATE Pulse of the Earth Experience looks like.

A time lapse photo of a stunning forest in Britain.

“FRAMERATE is a glimpse into the future of cinema, a sobering observation, and a hopeful moment - all at once”

- Matthew Shaw, Co-Founder of ScanLAB

Black and white image with a car and the full ScanLabs studio team. — ScanLAB Projects Team

ScanLAB Projects

ScanLAB Projects is a pioneering creative studio that transforms fleeting moments into immersive experiences using 3D scanning technology - which they see as the future of photography. As the electronic eyes for billions of mobile phones and driverless vehicles, 3D scanners are the cartographers of the future. By critically observing places and events through the eyes of these machines their work hopes to glance at the future we will all inhabit.

They create films, online environments, and immersive installations, collaborating with performers, journalists, and scientists to share evocative and meaningful stories. Their award-winning work has been featured by the BBC, National Geographic, The New York Times, and exhibited at LACMA, La Biennale di Venezia, and the Barbican.

More information

Prices

£9.00 full / £7.50 concessions / £6.00 24 or under, Refugee/Asylum Seekers (plus 12% booking fee*)

We recommend you book tickets for FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth in advance online, in person at Box Office or by phone on 0117 927 5100.

Your ticket gives you access to the timed session you have booked for. It will show you the start and end time of your session. You are welcome to arrive at any point within this period but we recommend you arrive at least half an hour before the end to give you time for the whole experience (the piece runs as a 25-minute continuous loop).

There is a maximum capacity of 16 in the Gallery at any one time, if the Gallery is full you may be asked to wait a little in the welcome area until there is space. A Gallery Assistant will let you know when you can enter.

You can come and go as many times as you like, for as long as you like, during your booked session (space permitting).

Ticket offers

Book both Only Expansion and FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth and get a special combined price of £15. Just select the same ticket type for both events and the discount will be applied automatically at checkout. If you quality for concessions you will receive a similar discount, more information.To book this discount please contact Box Office in person or call 0117 927 5100.

*Booking fee applies to online and phone bookings only

Concessions

Concessions apply to Full Time Students,Job Seekers Allowance and Employment Support Allowance, 66+ who have retired, Equity and BECTU members and disabled people.

Where applicable please produce proof of eligibility when collecting a ticket.

To watch a Soundtrack Description in BSL for FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth, click here.

You can find out more information about Access at Undershed here. If we can do anything to make your visit to Undershed easier, please get in touch with us - just email communications@watershed.co.uk and we'll be happy to help.

Frequently asked questions

Undershed is open from Mon – Fri 12:00 – 20:00, Saturdays 10:30 – 21:00 and Sundays 10:30 – 19:00. Booking a ticket for a session gives more than enough time to enjoy the artwork.

There is a maximum capacity of 16 in the Gallery at any one time, if we are full you may be asked to wait a little in the welcome area until there is space. A Gallery Assistant will let you know when you can enter.

Capacities for our Relaxed, Masked and Socially Distanced and Gallery Babies Visits are reduced. Read about their capacities and details on our Access page.

There is no official age restriction, but the immersive dark environment means young children should be accompanied by an adult. While there are no intense strobe effects, the changing light from the screens can feel pronounced in the dark, and some moments in the music include sudden louder sounds.

Your ticket gives you access for the entire session you have booked - it will show you the start and end time of your session.

You are welcome to arrive at any point within this period but we recommend you arrive at least half an hour before the end to give you time for the whole experience (the piece runs as a 25-minute continuous loop).

You can come and go as many times as you like, for as long as you like, during your booked session (space permitting).

If you have booked a Relaxed Visit, Masked and Socially Distanced Visit, or Gallery Babies Visit please arrive at your session’s start time as these are all one hour sessions with reduced capacity.

To prepare yourself for visiting Undershed to see FRAMERATE, please take a look at diagrams of the layout of the space below.

The layout of the FRAMERATE exhibition which has multiple screens placed around a dark room with wooden benches and black curtains around the edge.

This installation is designed to be as accessible as possible for wheelchair users.

For those who are Deaf or hard of hearing, there is a written and BSL description of the soundscape available- the experience is mostly visual. These are available on the Access at Undershed page or as a printout. Ask our gallery assistant for a copy.

For those who are partially-sighted or blind, there is audio description available. There is an introductory chapter for pre-bookers online, or a shorter version for those who haven't booked, which can be accessed in the welcome area. This sets a context for the piece. A specific audio description for the artwork follows. Ask our gallery assistant for access.

If we can do anything to make your visit to Undershed easier, please get in touch at communications@watershed.co.uk, we'll be happy to help.

For more details on accessibility visit the Access at Undershed page.

FRAMERATE contains flashing images in one specific section which may not be safe for those with photosensitive epilepsy. It is possible to avoid this section and still experience the rest of the piece – so please let our Gallery Assistant know when you arrive and they will assist you.

The house lights will be on for arrival so people can get used to the space before it goes dark. The audio will be slightly quieter.

We have programmed various Relaxed Visit slots:

12:00: Tue 13 May, Tue 3 June, Tue 24 June
18:00: Thu 22 May, Thu 12 June, Thu 3 July
10:30: Sat 10 May, Sat 31 May, Sat 21 June, Sat 12 July

To keep up to date about Watershed's accessible events please sign up to our Accessible Mailing List. You can also let us know about your access requirements by signing up to our Access Register.

What to expect during a Relaxed Visit to Undershed:

Maximum of 6 people in the space so you can spend longer with each of the artworks
Gallery Assistants will have more time to spend with you if you need them and explain what to expect.
More seating options for you to rest and relax.
The welcome space is a quiet space where you can chill out if you need it.
These sessions are 45 minutes long, please arrive at your session's start time.

Yes, we have programmed various Masked and Socially Distanced slots:

12:00: Wed 21 May, Wed 11 June, Wed 2 July
12:00: Thu8 May, Thu 29 May, Thu 19 Jun, Thu 10 July
16:00: Sun 4 May, Sun 18 May, Sun 8 June, Sun 29 June

To be kept informed about Masked and Socially Distanced slots and other accessible events please sign up to our Accessible Mailing List. You can also let us know about your access requirements by signing up to our Access Register.

What to expect during a Masked and Socially Distanced Visit? (MSD):

Maximum of 4 visitors in the space.
Our Gallery Assistants will also be wearing masks.
Gallery Assistants will have more time to spend with you if you need them and explain what to expect.
More seating options will available for you to rest and relax.
These events are open to everyone, but are part of our offer for audiences and customers who would rather they had more space and less people in the exhibition.
For this reason mask wearing is mandatory throughout your visit if you're not exempt.
These sessions are 45 minutes long, please arrive at your session's start time.

Yes, we welcome resting at any point while you’re in Undershed. You can explore the space in whatever way suits you: walk, sit, stand, or lie down. There is seating in both the welcome area and in the exhibition space. There are also yoga mats and blankets if you need to lie down at any point - please speak to a Gallery Assistants if so.

While there is no official age restriction, the immersive dark environment, the positioning of the screens and meditative tone of the piece means that toddlers should be accompanied by an adult at all times.

We have programmed various Gallery Babies sessions:

12:00: Mon 5 May, Mon 26 May, Mon 16 June, Mon 7 July
12:00: Thu 15 May, Thu 5 June, Thu 26 June
10:30: Sat 24 May, Sat 14 June, Sat 5 July

Come with your baby (12 months and under), there is no buggy parking as you are welcome to bring it in with you. Booking for this Gallery Baby slot is open now. These sessions are 45 minutes long, please arrive at your session's start time.

The room is dark, lit only by the screens, which creates a dynamic, immersive environment.

Yes, in the welcome area of Undershed there are spaces to leave your belongings while you are inside the exhibition. A Gallery Assistant will be in this area at all times.

If you’ve booked an accessible session, please try to arrive at your session's start time as these are all one hour sessions with reduced capacity. For all other bookings, your ticket gives you access for the entire session you have booked - it will show you the start and end time of your session. You are welcome to arrive at any point within this period but we recommend you arrive at least half an hour before the end to give you time for the whole experience (the piece runs as a 25-minute continuous loop).

Yes - but please do not take or share images of people without permission whilst they are participating in the work.

No - but the Café & Bar is on the first floor for refreshments before and after your visit to Undershed.

Yes. You are welcome to use any of the toilet facilities in Watershed then come back into the space.

We aim to produce regular themed and curated shows, plus a series of takeovers and showcases. We are currently accepting submissions for immersive artwork around the theme of HOME. You can find more about this call here. If you would like the Undershed curatorial team to consider your work outside of these themes, please fill out this form.

Undershed is new space for us and we're excited to welcome you to it. We know there will be things we can improve on and adapt. Please send us your thoughts and any outstanding questions you have - email us on communications@watershed.co.uk or have a chat with one of our Gallery Assistants.

What is Undershed?

Undershed is a new gallery for showing the best immersive and interactive artwork from all over the world. The first of its kind in Bristol and rare across the UK – this dedicated space will stage themed exhibitions that change every few months.

Undershed is a place to come together and experiment with new forms of storytelling. Come on in, keep an open mind and tell us what you think.

Undershed Immersive Gallery is funded by

With thanks to our sponsor Redcliffe Imaging

FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth

FRAMERATE: Pulse of the Earth

What to expect

ScanLAB Projects