Apollo Pavilion celebrates its 50 anniversary with a large scale mapping

In order to cover all surfaces and avoid obstacles, Four Panasonic PT-RZ21K laser projectors were used. 20.000 lumens, together with a media server 4×4 hidden, which was used for video playback and content preview.

built in 1969 by Victor Pasmore, he Apollo Pavilion It is one of the most famous works of art in the United Kingdom during the post-war period. Its name derives from the Apollo moon landing 11 which took place that same year and reflects the optimism of the local Durham community at the time.

fifty years later, remains one of Peterlee's most daring buildings, in county durham, with its concrete architecture and block-shaped structure, es un clásico ejemplo de ese tipo de arquitectura en una de las primeras ciudades mineras de Durham.

Aunque el edificio planteó opiniones encontradas desde el mismo momento de su desarrollo, la nostalgia y un renovado interés han hecho que se catalogue con el Grado II y se incluya en la lista de edificios históricos en 2011. El aniversario coincide con el Año de la Cultura de Durham, por lo que el Consejo del Condado de la ciudad deseaba poder mostrar el edificio y su historia para reavivar el espíritu comunitario que había representado en su época.

Producido por Artichoke Trust, Mader Wiermann y QED Productions fueron los encargados de realizar una proyección de vídeo de 360 degrees and a soundscape artwork to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Apollo Pavilion.

The physical limitations of the residential area meant that the 25 meters width of the building, on both sides, with only four projectors, with a limited number of positions and a low level of electrical energy. The proximity of residential homes did not allow the use of generators, so all the projectors, video control and public address equipment had to operate on the three power supplies of 16 available amps on site.

To cover all surfaces and avoid all obstacles, QED Productions used four laser projectors Panasonic PT-RZ21K by 20.000 lumens, together with a media server 4×4 hidden pro that was used for video playback and content preview.

“Panasonic projectors offered the perfect resolution for a very difficult situation, since its consumption was very low without affecting the quality of the projection, in addition to achieving high brightness and an excellent contrast ratio. Besides, The compact chassis of the RZ21K model was ideal, since the structures could be relatively small so as not to hinder public visibility”, comenta Paul Wigfield, director de QED Productions.

The artists created a 3D model from old architectural plans and, not having the surrounding topographic data to determine the exact physical positions of the projector, had to design an integrated UV content workflow within Cinema 4D.

This allowed the building to be completely covered with content and the virtual projectors to be precisely positioned., on the hidden server, as soon as the exact positions and elevations for the equipment had been detected.

It was decided to use an integrated UV workflow after simulations showed the number of surfaces that would be hidden by the four projectors covering the sculpture, which allowed the content to be adapted and approved.

Soundscape adapted to movement

The video of 8 minutes played on a loop presented a series of perspective illusions, spatial lighting effects and bold animations that used the complex forms of 'brutalist sculpture'. The setup also included three audio channels (LCR). The soundscape adapted to the movement of the content of 60 fps via sculpture, playing all resources from media server.

QED KVM Xtreme equipment was used to achieve precise alignment of 360 degrees from both sides of the structure and from either side of the lake. Equipped with a hybrid fiber cable, offered a direct connection to the server and also sent signals and power to the monitor, waterproof remote keyboard and mouse.

Discussing the impact of projection technology on content, Paul Wigfield added: “The high contrast ratio of the projectors suited the content really well, which was basically black and white. Short sections of color and sudden geometric effects provided some special and unexpected moments, plus a brief appearance of the Apollo lunar module”.

Another key element to the success of the project was the preview and placement of the Panasonic RZ21K laser projectors. Virtual and workflow simulations were essential to quickly communicate with artists, highlighting any possible complications on site so they could begin their content representation process.