Digital Projection M-Vision Laser 21,000 units have been used as part of a projection mapping facelift for the Roshen confectionary factory in Kiev, Ukraine, one of Eastern Europe’s most recognised institutions.
The 20-projector installation – which features illuminated fountains and an animated ice rink alongside the video projections – was delivered by French light design agency Les Éclaireurs, with the entire multimedia installation carried out by Sound House Pro, based in Dnipro, and electrical installation by EQUIPA. Les Éclaireurs artistic director, Lucas Goy, took care of multimedia and lighting design, as well as show programming and content.
The twenty M-Vision Laser 21,000 projectors were installed in March 2020, under a balcony specifically designed for this purpose. The units are enclosed in boxes specially developed by Audipak, with the whole bank being concealed by a set of acoustically treated wooden gratings.
“We designed the lighting, mapping and sound systems together with Peutz and The Space Factory, as well as fountain designer Philippe Carton,” said Lucas. “We also assumed the artistic direction of the mapping (both form and content) and coordinated the audio with musician and composer, Yi-Ping Yang.”
Les Éclaireurs was initially invited to begin work on the installation back in September 2016, alongside Lyon-based landscape agency and regular partner, In Situ. As well as the extensive catalogue of content Les Éclaireurs created, the client wanted another distinct show to be entrusted to Kiev-based company, Front Pictures, to ensure diversity of approach and the inclusion of local creativity.
“We had to conceive all of the projection mapping and general lighting of the site first, with the majority of our focus being the fountains, the facades, and the ice rink,” said Lucas. “The project then evolved when we were asked to oversee the complete management of all these elements, as well as designing seven fountain show programmes with the original music. We also had to design a series of programmes that could build the ambience of the site by using a combination of fountain animations, light animations, and musical loops.”
To ensure that the projection mapping aspect of this ambitious installation lived up to the high standards set by the client, the team conducted an exhaustive analysis of the technology available; ultimately deciding that Digital Projection was the right choice across the board.
“The high performance of the laser sources, combined with the compactness of the projectors, and the quality to price ratio made us prefer Digital Projection by far,” explained Lucas. “The challenge was integrating the products into a balcony, which was erected to ensure that the nuts and bolts of the project remained discreet.
“We looked first at Digital Projection’s M-Vision Laser 18K units, eventually opting for the M-Vision Laser 21,000’s,” he added. “The client and the artists involved were all impressed by the power of the projectors, especially since the site is particularly exposed to light pollution from the nearby road.”
The M-Vision Laser 21,000 projectors boast ColorBoost+ Red Laser technology, where red lasers are combined with the traditional laser phosphor illumination, bring the most realistic and saturated colours to this 1-Chip DLP Projector. Coupled with its intelligent processing brings the colour performance ever closer to that of a 3-Chip DLP projector.
Content was created using Autodesk 3ds Max and Adobe After Effects at 12K 60Hz and driven by VIOSO Anystation Media servers installed with AV Stumpfl PIXERA software. VIOSO technology was also used for projection calibration / auto-recalibration, as well as full show control. The fountain light show is then driven by software developed by IMMOLAS for fountain specialist, Imperia Vody.
“Although the install went well overall, we did experience a few thermal challenges due to the shape of the balcony,” said Lucas. “In order to help the Audipak boxes cool down the devices, Sound House Pro fitted an external remote ventilation system that filters fresh air into the boxes. These air intakes maintain the discrete aesthetic though, as they are concealed in the balcony between the units.”
As a permanent installation, the projection mapping shows can be seen at the Roshen factory every night, while other winter and summer programmes are currently being designed for use in the future.
Image copyright ©Lucas GOY – les éclaireurs
