Summary
For Trajectum Lumen, a large-scale project involving the illumination of architecture in Utrecht, we created two lighting installations. In one installation, placed in niches at the Janskerkhof/Drift crossroads, we use video mapping and sound to enhance the existing architecture. In front of Apollo Hotel, on Vredenburg square, we surprise passers with subtle video jokes on the pavement.
Assignment
Trajectum Lumen is a nocturnal route through historical Utrecht, showing well-known architecture in a whole new light - literally. Several artists created an illumination plan for unique locations in the city centre. Gemeente Utrecht asked us to create a new plan for two locations: a line of three niches, located next to one of Utrecht’s famous canals at Janskerkhof/Drift; and one space on Vredenburg square, in front of Apollo Hotel. These lighting projects will be a long term addition to the city, in order to tempt visitors to stay in Utrecht overnight, instead of visiting the town just for one day.
Research
The video mapping technique, used at the Janskerkhof/Drift niches, was our main concern in this project. It required extensive research on the possibilities of projectors, as well as a long test phase to find the perfect angle to start projecting. It is a difficult technique, which none of us mastered before starting this project. Because of this, a lot of our research consisted of getting to know this technique and experimenting. Another part of our research involved technical difficulties at the Janskerkhof/Drift niches. Because of the monumental status of the location we had to design a special housing for the projectors.
Concept
As Janskerkhof/Drift is a busy crossroads, we wanted to tempt all passers to look at the three niches next to the canal. We used the video mapping technique, which enables shapes and colours to follow the lines and curves of the existing architecture, creating a dynamic celebration of the - normally almost hidden - niches. Specially designed sounds add to the experience. The paved space in front of Apollo Hotel offered us a different challenge. A vast shopping crowd walks upon these paving stones. Therefore we chose to project subtle, candid video images that give this part of the square a little extra charm.
Result
At the Janskerkhof/Drift niches, passers are attracted by a spectacle of varied, colourful videos that follow the lines of the existing architecture, accompanied by sound. Every video, inspired by the architecture of the niches, transforms the space into something new every time.
At Apollo Hotel passers in this busy shopping district can watch subtle, funny video elements projected onto the pavement. It is possible to walk through the projections and play with them.
Users/target group/audience
The projections at Drift/Janskerkhof attract a diverse range of people: many students can watch the projections after classes that take place nearby, but also all other inhabitants of Utrecht and outside visitors of the city will enjoy watching the niches.
At Vredenburg square, children are especially attracted by the subtle projections in front of Apollo Hotel. They can enjoy playing with the projections, running after groups of swimming fish or joining Pac-Man in chasing ghosts.
