NEW YORK – The New York Public Library's main Fifth Avenue branch joins a growing list of iconic buildings that Ross Ashton has lit with projection art. Ashton was commissioned by the Coexist Foundation for a week-long installation to highlight the library's new exhibition, Three Faiths: Judaism, Christianity, Islam, which runs at the Fifth Avenue location until February 2011.
It's the first time that Ashton's work has appeared in New York City, and followed his recent installations as the main artist for the 2010 Pittsburgh Festival of Light.
Ashton beamed 40-meter-by-22-meter projections onto the front portals and entrance of the library using three 7Kw PIGI projectors fitted with double rotating scrollers. The imagery included pictures of the exhibits within, including original manuscripts and other artifacts.
Ashton created the artwork for the PIGI scrollers himself with the materials supplied to him by the library and curators of the exhibition. The projectors were positioned on the balcony of a third floor corner suite at the boutique Hotel Andaz, and the images needed to be corrected to minimize a distorted appearance.
Andy Murrell programmed the show using OnlyCue software, and Cory Cope of Pittsburgh-based Fly Space – also a partner for the Pittsburgh Festival of Light – served as show operator.
Ashton also brought Aaron Mason from Number Nine Design in New York onboard to coordinate technical production management for the event, including sourcing the projectors from White Light in London and to obtain the necessary permissions from civic and public departments and authorities.
Ashton said it was an "enormous honor" to work in New York City on another landmark building, and that he was "thrilled" to be involved with a project promoting the understanding of faith.
"We are delighted to work with one of the world's top projection artists shining light onto such an important exhibition and topic," noted James Kidner, director of Coexist.
For more information, please visit www.projecting.co.uk.
