1) This is such an interesting and unique concept. Where did it all begin?
Over the years, projection mapping techniques are known to invoke the power of storytelling, captivate the audience’s imagination, get them thinking and dreaming. Especially for modern museums, projection mapping as an image-display technology can effectively entertain and educate visitors with interactive and immersive visual experiences.
Since 1929, Christie has been revolutionising the movie industry with the launch of digital cinema projection, it has embraced innovation and disrupted many technology barriers. The vision of lighting the way to a sustainable, brighter future for everyone by sharing and educating drives Christie’s projection mapping solutions to continuously inspire exceptional experiences.
Building the bridge from compelling visual narratives to flawless display execution requires the ability to unify and simplify complex multiple displays. The technical expertise and engineering, edge blending and auto-calibration tools, as well as content management and image processing devices presented by the company’s innovative hardware and software solutions transform the user experience in visually wonderful ways, offering a colourful canvas for numerous applications, such as entertainment and education.
2) How has Christie made its impact in this field?
The most magnificent projection mapping displays are the combination of powerful ideas, clear project vision, the right technology and an experienced team that creates magic and leaves the audience spellbound. As a global visual and audio technologies company, Christie has a team of skilled specialists with over 90 years of AV technology expertise and advanced display and processing products capable of meeting a wide range of application needs and budgets.
Christie integrated technology brings together pure laser cinema projectors, LCD display panels and image processing solutions to create a sense of depth and illusion by using light effectively, and manifesting wonder for architectural structures, museums and other public spaces. It delivers exemplary outcomes for both gigantic events and small applications for clients across government initiatives, consumer brands,
museums and theme park operators among others. The team’s projection mapping displays across the country has enraptured visitors and offered an insightful view into different cultures while expanding education capacities with creative engineering and conceptualisation.
By presenting solutions that are easy to use and maintain, and accomplish precision scaling by supporting super-bright visuals for mapped surfaces of any size, shape and colour palette, Christie empowers its clients to transform their vision to reality while maximising system life and safeguarding their investment.
3) I read about one of your recent projects in India – the 20-minute show at Victoria Memorial in Kolkata. Is there a lot happening on projection mapping in our country?
Projection mapping in India is steadily becoming a trusted choice to draw guests towards museums and historical monuments by giving them a contemporary look with colourful imagery and visuals. But we have just scratched the surface of this dynamic audio and video content management technology. As industry players are seeking excellent image-quality, flexibility and connectivity features in projector solutions, the understanding of stakeholder requirements and operating technologies is subsequently developing.
The lighting up of the iconic white-marbled monument, Victoria Memorial, in Kolkata honouring Indian nationalist and freedom fighter, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and celebrating his life and works, is a noteworthy example of projection mapping in India by the company. Inaugurated in the year 2021 by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the grand spectacle was executed within five days to commemorate Netaji’s 125th birth anniversary. Being a permanent installation, the project demanded the high performance, durability and high, long-lasting brightness (20,000 hours of long life light) of Christie’s projectors. Eight laser projectors, ideal for large venues and high-usage environments were installed.
Other remarkable projects include, the Statue of Unity, in the state of Gujarat, the soon to be inaugurated projection mapping show on the Ramanuja Statue (also known as the Statue of Equality) in Hyderabad, and 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.
4) Which is the biggest project in India by far?
By far, our biggest project in India is the projection mapping showcase at the Statue of Unity, the world’s tallest statue dedicated to the visionary Indian statesman Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. This permanent installation in India took place at the inauguration of the statue in the year 2018 and was the largest ever
deployment of high-brightness projectors involving over 50 Christie laser projectors used for light and sound show on the new monument.
Accomplished in collaboration with the company’s valued Indian partners, we used a total of 51 Crimson Series laser projectors covering the 182-meter bronze-clad statue located in the state of Gujarat near the famous Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River. This statue is twice the size of New York’s Statue of Liberty and 29 meters taller than China’s Spring Temple Buddha, which previously held the title of the world’s tallest statue.
Christie was chosen for this showcase owing to its history of exceptional performance and reliability combined with advanced projector technology, their solid-state laser light source and ability to withstand tough weather conditions with maintenance-free operations.
5) And the most challenging or interesting one?
One of the most challenging yet fulfilling projects for us at Christie Digital in India was the mesmerising projection mapping work at the Qila Mubarak fortress in the city of Patiala, Punjab. This was a unique architectural illumination project in India where more than two dozen Christie laser projectors were used to light up the ancient monument built in 1763. The building structure of Qila Mubarak is a Punjab State protected monument and is one of the 100 most endangered sites as named by the New York based international organisation, World Monuments Fund.
Hence, as part of its restoration efforts when Christie Digital and its partners were handed the task of reviving the royal beauty of the monument with 3D projection mapping solutions, special care and attention had to be ensured during the complete installation and execution process.
The team conducted an in-depth study to assess that the structure had sufficient load-bearing strength before mounting the projectors over the roof, and also ensured that no damage would be caused by the solar panels installed for powering the set-up. Necessary modifications to the angle of mapping and support structures, and customisations to the projector housing structures were done with great detail to maintain a clear line of sight for the projectors in the courtyards while ensuring no damage is caused to the trees present there.
Manoeuvring through several challenges like these over a period of three months, the regal and historic grandeur of Qila Mubarak was enhanced using 27 Christie laser projectors combined with the company’s expertise in projection mapping techniques. One couldn’t go without noticing the highlighted ornate designs on the entrance and the display of floral and other images that brought out beautiful nuances from the surrounding surfaces.
6) What’s next for Christie?
With our projection mapping services, we are enabling museums to attract the next generation of visitors, giving them more reasons to visit by creating magical experiences and helping them to know more about their culture and history. Empowered with our customer-centric approach, we aim to pursue innovative technology and product development consistently to serve the diverse needs of the growing image-display industry.
We will continue to work closely with our partners to deliver stunning visuals experiences for various applications in the Indian market, such as architectural projections, son et lumière, theme parks, entertainment, education, medical & healthcare, corporate and government.
The display business in India has evolved over the years and will continue to be so going forward. We are now seeing a combination of technologies in the market. In spite of this, our projection business has continued to achieve growth in the Indian market, leading the way as the most effective, versatile, and economical means of lighting up canvases of various shapes and sizes.
7) Anything you would like to add?
As the economy is trying to revive and places of historic significance have re-opened, it is crucial to contain the spread of harmful infections and pathogens especially within indoor spaces such as museums and exhibition rooms. Long wavelength (254nm) UVC light has been traditionally used for disinfection through irradiation purposes. However, it cannot be used in areas where humans are already present as the long rays can potentially harm humans by penetrating into their eyes and skin.
Christie offers light fixtures using Far-UVC 222nm technology, which is within permissible limits and yet has proven effective to protect humans from infections in enclosed spaces. Far-UVC 222nm light effectively inactivates pathogens like coronaviruses by damaging their RNA. This neutralises them, disables them from reproducing and infecting humans and ensures the safety of people from pathogens.
To date, Christie’s commercial UV disinfection products have demonstrated compliance with UL, CE and UKCA by third-party testing facilities for electrical safety, electromagnetic compatibility (EMC), compliance with the radio equipment directive, and most importantly photobiological safety.
The fact that the unique far-UVC light from Christie’s UV disinfection fixtures can be used automatically and continually in the presence of people is the key advantage, as the technology reduces pathogens from the environments where people gather.
