Creative Projection

A collection of videos highlighting the fun and creative uses of projectors.

Studying the human anatomy in a classroom can be excruciatingly dull. I wish I could turn back the clock, return to my hopeless high school and college biology classes and infuse them with a little 3D projection mapping. When the body's systems come alive the impression is a lasting one.

This is the very first projection mapping event at Pirelli Tower. The tower which has become one of the most recognized symbols of Milan came to life when its 9000 square meter facade awoke and Thomas Dold (vertical running world champion)took to the stairs and raced to the top in under four minutes.

The Butterflies Origami Installation was originally showcased at the Photon 1.0 Exhibition in London.It is the work of Vama Visuals The Photon Project celebrates the visual arts and the trajectory it has taken as a result of the proliferation of technology. In showcasing the work of some of the best projection and performance based artists in London they expand public awareness to the infinite number of possibilities that this medium has to offer.

This is an interactive projection mapping installation puzzle that appears to be controlled by the audience through their smartphones or tablets. It was revealed during the 2013 Light festival in UAE.

There is some great stuff coming out of St Petersburg. This is the second 3D projection mapping example I've seen in the last couple of days produced by Russia's Illuminarium3000. It is not simply that I was drawn to their idea of creating an architectural form out of a human face;it is how ably they convey the truths about the masks we wear and the nature of the human psyche through a very impressive projection mapping installation.

When darkness falls on April 17 and 18 2013 why not venture out to Pier 15 in San Francisco? Obscura Digital is planning to transform it for the Exploratorium’s Grand Opening. It's called ‘Emergence.’ They've designed and built ten miniature replicas of the Exploratorium’s façade and will use projection mapping to display natural subjects on the surface of the building, creating the illusion that they are contained within its structure. Art, design, nature and technology come together and projectors are the cornerstone. Here's a video preview of how it will be done:

Further proof that projection mapping is making inroads and impact in the world of theater production, this clip from The Satirikon Theater's "Romeo and Juliette" is from 2012. Four Christie projectors were utilized in the mapping process for this event. It is clear that projection mapping enhances every mood and enables a kind of interaction previously impossible on stage. It seems as though projection mapping might ultimately redefine the role of technology and digital artistry in theater

This iPad app called Tagtool certainly falls into the "creative projection" category because it transforms an iPad into a fine instrument of projection art. One can only imagine what could be achieved when each member of a creative team with iPad in hand is turned loose to paint and animate. The messaging possibilities could encompass the subversive to the sublime.more

We caught a glimpse of pico projectors in use in the biking world back in 2011 when through the magic of the video they took, I was able to watch and admire a couple of Czech artists who took bike safety matters into their own hands using a pico projector. A reader alerted me to the fact that my two artists may have been inspired by the Lightlane Project belonging to Evan Gant and Alex Tee.more

In honor of Good Friday, here is a micro projection mapping project out of Poland produced by Tving Stage Design. With an egg at the cornerstone symbolizing life, images of suffering and death imply that redemption is gained through rebirth. Is everyone else seeing this too?