Three Faiths For Projection Studio In New York

London-based projection and lighting artist Ross Ashton designed artwork and a large format projection system to illuminate the front portals and entrance of the New York Public Library on Fifth Avenue to highlight the opening of the Library's new exhibition, Three Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, which runs until February 2011.
Ashton was commissioned to produce the work - which ran for a week - by the Coexist Foundation, a major sponsor of the exhibition, which hopes to inspire greater understanding about what it means to be Jewish, Christian and Muslim today.
It's the first time that Ashton's unique creative skills have been aired in New York City and follows on from his recent very successful installations as the main artist for the 2010 Pittsburgh Festival of Light.
The stunning 40 metre wide by 22 metre tall projections were beamed onto the building by 3 x 7Kw PIGI projectors fitted with double rotating scrollers and films featuring pictures of the exhibits within, including original manuscripts and other precious artefacts.
The projectors were located on the balcony of the third floor corner suite in the fabulous boutique Hotel Andaz, located directly opposite across the road, which presented certain logistical challenges!
Ashton created the artwork for the PIGI scrollers himself with the materials supplied to him by the Library and curators of the exhibition.
Another more creative challenge was achieving the keystone correction needed to shot the manuscripts absolutely straight on and very literal to preserve the integrity of the original documents.
The show was programmed by Andy Murrell using OnlyCue software and operated for the duration by Cory Cope of Pittsburgh-based Fly Space - a contact from the Pittsburhg Festival of Light.
Ashton also brought Aaron Mason from Number Nine Design in New York onboard to co-ordinate all the technical production management for the event, including sourcing the projectors from White Light in London, and help to sort the complex elements involved with access and gaining permissions from the various civic and public departments and authorities.
Ashton states that was an Enormous honour to work in New York City on another landmark building and that he is thrilled to be involved with a project promoting the understanding of faith.
James Kidner, Director of Coexist, said: "We are delighted to work with one of the world's top projection artists shining light onto such an important exhibition and topic."
The New York Public Library joins an ever-growing list of iconic buildings that Ashton has been privileged to illuminate with his dynamic and intricate projection art.
(KMcA)