"Box"

I want to share with you all this super interesting video on Vimeo made by Bot & Dolly. They created motion graphics to be projected and mapped onto moving surfaces. They then captured everything you see in the video in-camera, there is no motion graphic editing done to the footage. All the motion graphics you see on the surfaces have already been designed and projected onto the surfaces in real-time as they filmed. Check it out below:

Box from Bot & Dolly on Vimeo.

Projection Mapping

Projection Mapping is a technology that has been around for a few decades but is quickly picking up popularity now. It is a popular feature used by modern-day artists and musicians. The "trippy" effect that these projections can create are perfect for modern-day DJ's and are used regularly at there concerts.

The style used in the concerts is often abstract blank white shapes that have different protectors pointed at different areas and then a light show is designed around that. 

The Projection Mapping is also used for different forms of a sculpture like art. 

 

Flying Lotus is an artist that uses these projectors and software, only he uses it a little differently.  He is a DJ and he sets up a series of scrims (somewhat transparent curtains) around him in order to create a 3D appearance of his concert show. 

One software for projection mapping is  MadMapper. This software is a simple any easy to learn program that allows its user to explore the quickly growing interest related to projection mapping. 

These programs are growing very fast and are attracting a lot of attention. If it is a field you are interested in, find out more: Click Here

 

Project Omote: Make up-less Make up

Project Omote combines face tracking and projection mapping to create new faces on faces in real time. The system uses projection mapping to display images on a person’s face. Face tracking allows the image to be maintained and adapted even as the user turns their head. As in most motion tracking, there are nodes placed on the user’s face at specific points to maintain the tracking. As it is right now, the Omote system is mostly just art—an installation of sorts. The lights projecting images are very bright, so users cannot open their eyes. Instead, eyes are projected atop closed eyelids. It does not appear to have a real purpose, but it is awfully cool to look at. It would be kind of interesting to see something like this developed further so it could be used practically and with one’s eyes open. For example, it would be quite cool to see the system implemented in stage productions. Theatre already uses light to transform a scene. Using light and motion tracking to transform a performer is just the next step.

Halifax Projection Mapping

It appears as though projection mapping technologies are making their way to sports arenas. Last month, the Cleveland Cavilers unveiled a new intro that brought the court to life by using it as a giant projection screen. Following in their footsteps, the Halifax Mooseheads, a minor league hockey team, created an intro of their own. As seen in the video above, there are a large array of possibilities with this technology. At one point, it appears as though all the ice breaks apart, leaving a pool of water before freezing over. In contrast to many similar attempts in the past, what sets these projections apart is their realism. If this trend continues, people may start showing up to games for the intros rather than the sports.

Super Bowl Magic

So the Super Bowl was held in New York City this past season and besides a very one sided football game, the NFL had a decent attempt at making the city that never sleeps into the ultimate destination for Super Bowl week. Along with all of the sights to see, the NFL along with Moment Factory on the iconic Macy's storefront. Located in the heart of NYC, the projection mapping show was eight minutes long and included both 2-D and 3-D motion graphics along with game footage which mesmerized an estimated audience of over one million fans who visited Super Bowl Boulevard.

Super Bowl Virtual Theater - Demo from Moment Factory on Vimeo.

Great Films Fill Rooms

PlayStation's video store funded these guys to what I believe after watching these videos is to blow people's minds. Yeah the projection mapping used in these videos along with the help of the PlayStation Move controller is one word, insane. 

"In the past, projection mapping worked only from a single, static view point, and thus was very limited. By attaching the PlayStation Move to the camera, we can track projections to screens in real time, enhancing the effects of spatial deformation and false perspective on the projections and allowing viewers to look round (virtual) corners, bend walls, create a hole in the wall, or remove the walls altogether to reveal vast expanses of virtual worlds."

Oh yeah, did I forget to mention that there is no SFX, no post production, no cuts and everything that you see is 100% real? If I didn't then the video must have because these videos are just so mind well done.

If you still don't believe that this is all 100% real time, one cut, no SFX, no editing videos... watch the next video.
 
Hate to say I told you so but I'm sure the video did that for me.

Projection Mapping

For this week I decided to post a sequence of projection mapping videos because of some of the things we discussed in class. I think projection mapping is a really interesting and impressive blend of new technologies. Also it can and has been applied to a variety of art forms. Projection is being used as entertainment at fairs and festivals, video, and even musicals/plays are starting to recognize the potential this new form of visual expression possesses. Disney has been using projection technologies for years in their shows and festivals. This is an art form that will become very common place in the US, like it has in Europe already.

This is the first part of a series of projection mapping projects made by a group that has been put up on the PlayStation video store. This is just really incredible and intricate. Augmented reality has interested me for a long time and this is definitely something that can and will be used to create newer and better augmented reality technology.

This is the second of those videos. The rest are on youtube if you're interested.