The Art of Projection Mapping: Real Stories from Venues and Installations
The Art of Projection Mapping: Real Stories from Venues and Installations
Projection mapping isn’t just a technical trick—it’s one of my favourite creative tools to transform spaces radically, injecting new life and purpose into buildings, structures, and landscapes that people walk past every day, often without a second glance. But let’s be honest: behind every dazzling display, there’s a whole lot of problem-solving, improvisation, and a few wild stories that never make it onto social media.
I’ve had the privilege (and sometimes the challenge!) of working across a range of venues—ancient churches clutching their secrets behind sandstone walls, theatres humming with city noise, and open squares where history and modern life collide. Each site is an individual character in its own right. You quickly learn that crumbling brick can eat up your carefully crafted colours, polished marble has a mind of its own when it comes to reflections, and yes, pigeons seem to have an uncanny knack for making an unplanned cameo in your perfectly timed show.
The real adventure happens backstage, long before the crowd gathers. I’ve spent countless hours running gear checks with numb fingers—Yorkshire wind doesn’t mess about! There’s plenty of kit testing, recalibrating colours, and wrestling with angles that are never quite textbook. Projectors behave differently depending on the weather, the surface, and sometimes, it feels, just their mood. But it’s these moments—cold nights spent tweaking setups under moonlight, working with local technicians who know all the building’s quirks—that forge unforgettable memories.
Yet, the true magic appears once everything is ready and the technology ‘disappears.’ Suddenly, the architecture becomes the protagonist of a visual story. I’ve seen city dwellers pause mid-stride, their routine interrupted as the building begins to “speak” through light and narrative. For those few minutes, the audience and the space connect; everyone becomes a part of the experience, not just a viewer but a participant in the unfolding tale.
For anyone new to projection mapping—and even seasoned creatives—it’s vital to spend real time with your chosen venue or site before you set up. Don’t just arrive and plug things in. Speak to the venue managers (they usually have the best stories and insider tips), walk the space at different times of day, and ask about any quirky local features, myths, or legends. Maybe there’s a stained-glass window that catches the sunset just so, or a corner haunted by stories from the past—a perfect spot to build your narrative.
Above all, projection mapping is about storytelling. Let the space guide you—the age marks on a wall, the echoes in an old auditorium, the shapes in a city square. When you lean into the unique history and personality of your location, your visuals will not just decorate it but bring it to life in ways people remember long after the lights fade.
Ready to give projection mapping a go? Grab your gear, prepare for a bit of chaos, and above all, let the stories lead the way. You never know who—or what—will appear in your next show.
