An image-projection speaks a thousand words!

Awe-inspiring and infinite possibilities are brought closer to us with the art and science of choreographed video projections. The technique of automated warping and blending images and videos, adds beautiful movements and dimensions to static surfaces. It is increasingly being used by galleries, museums, event creators, and even brands, to tell mesmerising stories with hi-tech visual projections and create larger-than-life experiences for their audience.

Although, the art of processing light through lenses is known to date back to the 16th century, continued technological up-gradation through the 19th century made way for quintessential developments in projector devices and technology as a whole. Today, magnificent projections deliver a multi-sensory viewing experience for visitors, with advanced projection equipment that is cost-effective and offers a range of alternatives for any high-use application.

As cultural hubs, museums can offer a repertoire of enthralling audiovisual experiences, powered by projection mapping techniques, and transform themselves into beautiful local landmarks. Modern-design museums are keen to be interactive with a variety of multimedia content and offer incredible visual displays to tourists and local viewers. Projection mapping enables them to achieve this goal by illuminating their exhibits and buildings with stunning images and promoting night-time attractions while elevating excitement and vibrancy.

Lighting the stage for inspired learning

Cultural enthusiasts look upon museums as a key source of learning more about a subject of interest. Museums are conceived and built to preserve the memory of historically important individuals or materials and objects of cultural or religious significance, and sometimes to encourage certain legacy social/ sports activities. They must exceed plain and interpretative methods of displaying their treasured key attractions, to inspire this learning interest.

Visual projection mapping in museums, using powerful and reliable laser projectors and large-format enabled LCD panels, produces striking images through quality blending and deep color capabilities, ensuring bright, intense, and life-like shows. This creates an impressive theatrical experience for the audience, apt for educating the visitors and creatively drawing them into compelling historic or cultural events. Captivated by the almost-magical play of lights and sounds, visitors are empowered to feel a part of the story told in the displays, by immersing themselves in excellent audiovisuals.

Every small enhancement from showcasing the museum's exhibits with light fixture installations to creating large-scale projections on expansive curved screens and high-resolution laser technology projectors enables museums to add a colorful dimension to their temporary and permanent exhibition rooms.

High-performing projections can be created both on the exterior surface of the building or the museum indoor space. To create magical illuminations for indoor projections, creators cover the complete indoor areas including the ceiling, walls, and floors. This gives viewers the illusion of being part of the story and enables them to understand the projection better.

From stunning conceptualisation to intuitive realisation

Designed to be dynamic in nature, projection mapping design needs to be flexible for regular modification, in order to keep the display shows interesting and attractive. It is crucial to analyse the museum architectural structure and make the right choice of equipment for optimum functioning within the museum space combined with limited maintenance requirements. A detailed field-of-view analysis of the projection canvas is carried out to determine the minute characteristics of the museum area and to ensure consistency and uniformity in the display of imagery on diverse surfaces.

Spectacular examples of projection mapping in India include lighting up of the iconic white-marbled monument, Victoria Memorial in Kolkata, the lifelike visuals and musical at Dandi Kutir, Gandhinagar which celebrates the life and works of Mahatma Gandhi and is the second-largest permanent projection installation in India, deploying of enchanting visual solutions in Gujarat, at the Statue of Unity - the world's tallest statue - dedicated to the visionary Indian statesman Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, and the soon to be inaugurated projection mapping show on the façade of the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) in New Delhi, among others.

Complete with modern computing software, unprecedented special effects including laser lighting, and environmentally friendly techniques, projection mapping is capable of bringing to life, historical splendour and glory while meticulously uplifting the natural elegance of spaces.

The advanced image-display technology of LED video walls at museums complements projection mapping needs with seamless image composition enabled by closely adjoined tiles containing several thousand to millions of pixels. This is ideal for both outdoor displays under direct sunlight and highly ambient indoor environments.

Powerful processing, expert auto-alignment in design and show control tools provide exceptional outcomes in color accuracy, image quality, and form factor for all kinds of surfaces, enabling it to become a trusted choice for enhancing several large-scale cultural, entertainment, and tourism projects. Innovative projector technology ensures portability, compactness, high levels of contrast, and clarity. When done right with adequate pre and post technical support, projection mapping solutions in museums can bring together local, cultural elements and re-create glorious history through magical visuals. This enables museums to re-emerge as unique attractions for visitors and highlight themselves as a deserving ode to art and culture paired with exquisite night-time extravaganza.

Authored By: Rishubh Nayar, Director - Christie Digital Systems (India)