The Big Picture

Illuminata Fireworks (lo res)

2011-12-10T16:07:00.001Z

Illuminata Fireworks (lo res), originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Firework Finale. Great crowds last night. Also had a very large Medieval Banquet after the last show.
Looking forward to great crowds tonight as Caerphilly is hosting a street fayre for Christmas.

Details of the weekend are here.

Illuminata 2011 - rehearsal shot.

2011-12-08T16:49:00.001Z

Illuminata 2011 - rehearsal, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

For the next three days we will be showing "Illuminata", the history of Caerphilly Castle. This is a free show that will run at 17:30 and 18:30 Friday to Sunday, 9th to the 11th December. Caerphilly also has a medieval fayre on over the weekend, so I think we may be busy.

The show is free so come along! Visit the castle at night and see it in a new way. All the details are here.

The guys have worked really hard, especially today with gale force winds and freezing monsoon rain.
Tomorrow will be dry but cold, so don't forget to wrap up warm.

Crown of Light - Stained Glass

2011-11-18T14:51:00.001Z

Crown of Light - Stained Glass, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Great first night crowds last night. They really seemed to enjoy themselves. I do get a buzz from the audience reaction.
The weather is great and I really hope it holds up for the rest of the week. Its cold but very dry. The high cloud cover means we are getting minimal bounce from the orange sodium lights in the town, which means the colours look richer and brighter, as the blacks are not tinted orange.
Michael and Cy have got the PIGI's tuned to a T. Karen has spent the time to get the programming re-tweeked and it is really looking good. Its rare for me to repeat a piece. Clients always want to commission new stuff. However, something on this scale can be repeated I think to great effect, and of course it doesn't cost as much the second time around as it already exists. Two years on, even those that have seen it before can enjoy it again.
If you are in Durham, come and say hello.

Use this TWEET button to follow me.

Crown of Light - Durham 2011

2011-10-31T15:46:00.000Z

Crown of Light - Durham Lumiere

As part of Durham's Lumiere Festival I will be repeating the large scale installation, "Crown of Light".

The piece celebrates Durham Cathedral and its close relationship with the Lindisfarne Gospels.
The piece was created with Robert Ziegler and John DelNero. Last time, 70,000 patient people waited in the rain over 4 nights to watch. I hope that we will get as many visitors this time.

According to Artichoke, the organisers, the piece is back "by popular demand", which is great.

If you around for the festival, do drop into the control cabin and say hello.
The dates are the 17th to the 20th November 2011.

Update!

2011-09-14T16:13:00.000+01:00

Its been a busy year up to now and keeping up with the blog slipped far to far down the "To Do" list. However if you have a moment here is a quick update (In No Particular Order!).

The big news is that I have been comisioned to create a projection artwork for the front of Buckingham Palace for "Face Britain". For the full story on "Face Britain" click here.

Last year I created the first outdoor video projection son et lumiere in India called "Ishq-e-Dilli"This was honoured with an award this spring.See the write up here.I'm the guy in the embarrassing trews!

We have opened an office in India to respond to Indian customers who want to use our skils for their events. This company is called Tricolor India and is based near Delhi.

We are just back from Malta having worked on Rockestra again. A great time was had by all, although Malta in August is HOT! No write up yet, I'll publish it when its written up.

August is also the season of the Edinburgh Tattoo, which uses 4 PIGI slide projectors.
This was a landmark year with new stands and a new director.

Later this year I will return to Durham to repeat "Crown of Light" for the Lumiere Festival. This is projection across the entire facade of Durham Cathedral.

Thats a quick update. I promise to keep up to date!

Ross

White Light Open Day

2011-07-07T18:51:00.002+01:00

Its White Lights 40^th year.

To celebrate this, they are hosting an open afternoon on Thursday 21^st July.

They also promise a BBQ.

The Projection Studio will be there as well as many other manufacturers.

So come along and meet us all.

The invite is HERE

2011-01-17T09:04:00.004Z

Pavilion of Dreams from Ross Ashton on Vimeo.

This was created for Enchanted Parks in Gateshead. Yet another freezing gig with over a foot of snow! Anyway, the idea was to reinterpret the bowling pavilion at Saltwell Park with a series of themes taken from Fairy Tales. I think it worked well. We had great problems as the layers of snow threw out the mapping. Still, for a small artwork I am quite satisfied with the result. I hope you like it.

16th Arab Media Awards

2011-01-16T12:36:00.008Z

The reason for being out in Cairo is that the Projection Studio was in invited to produce an opening spectacular for the Arab Media Awards which was broadcast live to 18 countries across the Middle East. The projection was carried out using PIGI and we made the entire show in 14 days. We had some fun and games on the event. The temperature was very low at night with a chill wind, consequently we froze!

Santa's Camel - Merry Christmas

2010-12-19T18:20:00.001Z

Santa's Camel - Merry Christmas, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Well I've been very lazy these past few weeks and haven't kept up with the blog. In the meantime I have done several pieces of work. I promise that I will catch up before the new year, but in the meantime, Merry Christmas.

I just hope I can get home from Cairo in time to have one....

Grow Happy Rose

2010-11-01T13:34:00.002Z

Rose - Rose Garden, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

I have just come across the blog of the writer Martyn Clayton.
He has written a beautiful description of "Rose" from the point of view of a member of the public. Karen and I both appreciated his thoughts and you can find them here.

Rose - Stained Glass Architectural

2010-10-30T09:56:00.002+01:00

Rose - Stained Glass Architectural, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Tonight (Saturday) is the last night to see "Rose" and the Illuminating York festival. They have had massive attendances, upwards of 40,000 for the first three nights. Karen and I are pleased to have been part of their success.

The event runs from 7 to 10 pm tonight.

We would like to thank all the volunteers and agencies that made Rose possible. I will be writing a more complete list when I update my web page; but until then "thank you".

PS. Don't forget to enter the Photography Competition by uploading your photos of the festival to Flickr!

Rose - White Rose

2010-10-30T09:49:00.001+01:00

Rose - White Roses, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

From New York to Old York

2010-10-28T18:16:00.002+01:00

Rose - Rehearsal 1, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Having spent last week in New York, I am now in York, in the UK. The photo is of the White Rose of Yorkshire projected onto York Minster, and the famous Rose Window illuminated from within. Karen and I are here all this week working on the Illuminating York Festival.

"Rose" is a Son et Lumière which explores the idea of the the rose as a metaphor and a symbol.

The centre of the piece is the illumination of the Rose Window in the South Transept of York Minster. Images were created from stained glass and illuminated manuscripts. The soundtrack was specially created by Karen Monid and features recording of poetry read by local volunteers.

The Festival runs from the 27th to the 30th October 2010

Three Faiths - New York Public Library

2010-10-22T00:08:00.003+01:00

Three Faiths - New York Public Library, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

As part of the Three Faiths exhibition at the New York Public Library I was asked to create a piece based on the magnificent illuminated manuscripts that are on display within and which are drawn from the libraries own collection. The building itself is undergoing renovation so the surface was not ideal.

The Coexist Foundation seeks to promote interfaith harmony and is a major sponsor of the exhibition. This was my first outdoor piece of work in New York, and although I would have preferred to have been projecting directly onto the building, it was great to be asked to do it.

Stained Glass

2010-10-16T12:17:00.007+01:00

Last week I visited the York Glaziers Trust researching imagery for 'Rose'. I spent the morning with Nick Teed. I spent a fascinating time as he explained in detail how the windows were made originally and the processes that they go through in restoration. The tools and methods that they use now are the same as they were eight centuries ago. I was able to hold in my hand a portrait of a man from eight centuries ago, a perfect miniature in glass. All the more incredible as these images can never be appreciated like this normally as they are 40m away in the minster windows. Anyone can see them in close up however, as the Glaziers Trust have open days for the public at which they explain their work. Fascinating! Visit the York Glaziers Trust website for more details of visits to their studios.

'Rose' will be a Son et Lumière artwork in which I am collaborating with Karen Monid. It is part of 'Illuminating York' and runs from the 27th to the 30th October 2010.

"Illuminata" Caerphilly Castle

2010-10-12T09:23:00.006+01:00

Illuminata is the story of Caerphilly Castle told in sounds and images.
I really enjoyed working with CADW to create this.
We spent a lovely week wandering around this 13th Century building and learning about its history. I also got to work with Mike Cooper who draws for 2000AD. He created some of the bespoke images which we animated. Paul had a great time in the Pound Shop and we all discovered the real Welsh Rarebit.

More Pittsburgh Pics

2010-10-08T16:24:00.004+01:00

Splendors

2010-09-29T22:27:00.003+01:00

After creating 'Palimpsest' for the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust last year, they have invited me back this year to create a series of installations. This is 'Splendors' which is based on the artworks that are in the city at the moment which are part of the private collection of the Vatican. These cover the entire range from sculpture to architectural drawings, paintings and mosaics. I dont normally work with anything that approximates a flat screen so this has been an interesting exercise for me as all the walls I am using are basically flat smooth surfaces.

Pittsburgh is a good town to hang out in. Being from Sheffield (which was also a steel town), I feel right at home.

New Zealand Army Haka - Rehearsal

2010-08-06T17:46:00.002+01:00

New Zealand Army Haka - Rehearsal, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Its Edinburgh Tattoo time again, and I am back in sunny Edinburgh for the first shows of 2010. Probably my favourite look of this show is this one, the Haka performed by the New Zealand Army Band. I am projecting the black and white image and Gerry Mott lights the castle red to colour it. The combined effect is very pleasing. This is the Diamond Jubilee year for the Tattoo.

Next year they replace the stands with brand new ones with purpose built projection rooms. Excellent!

Lining Up

2010-07-05T12:52:00.002+01:00

Lining up at Soccer City

Daktari

2010-06-26T12:19:00.012+01:00

On our day off, and the ETC crew and I went on a days safari.

This is really a magnificent country and the people at the

Shepherd's Tree Lodge were great.

Jason our guide was very accommodating but the award for best tracker needs to go to Jack, who is one of our drivers.

He could spot animals that all the rest of us could not even see.

The landscape is very dry at this time of year, so it is completely brown. As I have said before, it is -2 to -5 at night and yet reaches 20 during the days. There is no rain and the combination of factors has a devastating effect on plant life.

Installation at Soccer City

2010-06-22T14:51:00.006+01:00

I arrived a couple of days ago in South Africa for the get in of the World Cup closing ceremony which will be held at Soccer City. As you have seen from my previous post andf from the photo above, they have managed to brand most things with a football theme.

Its absolutely freezing here getting down to -5 C at night, and like most hot countries cold weather is never taken into account as it is so rare. Consequently my hotel room has been freezing for two nights with no heating, until the management took pity on me and got the aircon to pump hot air.

The system is in and up and the ETC guys have been working hard and we are very much ahead of the game (touch wood). Gearhouse are great and things are going swimmingly! Long may it continue. We flew out the projector platforms today and can start lineup after the next match on Wednesday.

Can you tell its a football stadium?

2010-05-23T16:55:00.003+01:00

Taken at the new World Cup stadium in Johannesburg.

A New Hope.....

2010-03-31T16:29:00.003+01:00

After 16 years, ETC UK Ltd., is changing. Although I will still be creating the large scale projection events that I have become known for, I have now bought out my business partners and moved onto a slightly different track. This will allow me to concentrate on creating the event using the tools that are most relevant to the project and a 'best fit' from the clients point of view.

With a new direction comes a new name. The Projection Studio as a name seems a good fit from the point of view of what I will be providing and with the aspiration to deal with a broader range of clients and events.

To my previous clients I hope that you will stay with me through the changes that are to come. To anyone new to what I do, I look forward to working with you in the future.

And the winner is...

2010-03-25T23:11:00.003Z

I was very pleased that 'Lumiere' won the award for Best Event Durham this year at the Culture Awards hosted by The Journal. Congratulations to Artichoke for a fantastic event that was well run. 75,000 people enjoyed the event over four days and they came in spite of the heavy rain on most nights. Thanks to Robert Zeigler and John Del Nero who made it sound wonderful. Also thanks to Paul Chatfield, Paul Highfield, Karen Monid, Richard Porter and Mike Barry for all their hard work.

See more about the event on the Journal Website

It was sad that 'Odins Glow' didn't win Best Event Tees Valley. However it did make the shortlist and Magnetic Events and Redcar and Cleveland Council are to be commended on taking a village and utterly transforming it in a new and exciting way.

See more on the Journal Website

The Awards are coming...

2010-03-10T14:38:00.014Z

Last year I was lucky enough have two events that I was involved with shortlisted for the Journal Culture Awards. 'Enchanted Parks' for which I created 'The Curiosity Box', won the 'Best Event Tyneside Award' and the launch of the Sunderland Aquatic Centre for which I created 'A Poem for Sunderland' was runner up for the 'Best Event Sunderland Award'.

This year I have two more events shortlisted.

They are 'Lumiere' which is shortlisted for the 'Best Event Durham Award',

and 'Odins Glow', shortlisted for the 'Best Event Tees Valley Award'.

For 'Lumiere' I created a 'Crown of Light' a son et lumiere projection across the entire frontage of Durham Cathedral and for Odins Glow 'Landscape' a projection onto the hillside at Newton-under-Roseberry.

Its great that the North East is producing such large scale arts events which draw such positive responses from the general public. Lets hope other local authorities are looking over their shoulder and taking note!

All the best to all the short listed events and I look forward to seeing you all there on the 23rd.

Production Companies

Odins Glow - Magnetic Events

Lumiere - Artichoke

A Poem for Sunderland - Magnetic Events

Enchanted Parks - Magnetic Events

2010-03-09T19:51:00.002Z

Accendo - Illuminating York 2008 from Ross Ashton on Vimeo.

With illuminating York approaching again, I thought it might be interesting to publish a short extract from 'Accendo' which was created for the 2008 event.

The soundscape is the work of Karen Monid.

The piece celebrates mans striving to understand and explain his universe as well as the juxtaposition of the two buildings.

2010-01-28T16:09:00.008Z

Here is the University of Cambridges footage of the projection artwork created for their 800th Anniversary closing ceremony. My sincere thanks to everyone who helped to make this happen.

Mary - Stained Glass

2010-01-18T16:36:00.007Z

Mary, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

The Old School at Cambridge. We had 8,000 visitors last night alone, which is excellent

Follow these links for press:

The BBC

The Daily Telegraph

The Metro

Cambridge 800

2010-01-16T15:13:00.003Z

26, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

The projection event is now live. See more pictures of the event by clicking on this photo.

See Video of Cambridge on ITV

2010-01-16T14:44:00.001Z

Follow this link.

http://www.itv.com/anglia/university-at-80078094/

800th Anniversary Logo

2010-01-15T08:39:00.004Z

logos, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

We have begun rehearsals in Cambridge for this weekends 800th anniversary closing ceremony. The weather was misty last night which lent an ethereal beauty to the process. At Kings college, the projections were happening to the sound of geese feeding on the river. The snow has all gone which has helped the guys with the installations but is a shame as the white of the pristine lawns at Kings and Senate House would have been beautiful. Press night tonight then the event runs Saturday to Monday, 1830 to 2200. Come and say hello if you you make it down!

Villi - Stomach Lining

2010-01-15T08:36:00.002Z

villi, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Villi - Stomach Lining

2010-01-15T08:35:00.002Z

Villi 2, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Cell Division

2010-01-15T08:34:00.002Z

cells 1, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Kings College - Survey Photography

2010-01-09T19:39:00.004Z

Kings College - Survey Photography, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

A photo of Richard taking notes at Cambridge University during the PIGI survey. The sun is shining here but with the weather forecast for next week, I think its going to be yet another very cold one! Its certainly great to be back here working with Cambridge University again.

As well as the video projection at the Senate House and Old School; this years Cambridge 800 will also include PIGI projection onto Kings College Chapel and the Gibbs Building

The new projection 'son et lumieres' will focus on the future and the impact that Cambridge University is having now on the world of tomorrow.

The projections will run from the 16th to the 18th of January (Saturday to Monday).

Snowflake - Pittsburgh New Years Eve

2010-01-09T16:55:00.004Z

Snowflake - Pittsburgh New Years Eve, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

I was asked to create short series of images on the theme of New Years Eve for the Pittsburgh Festival of Light. Pittsburgh was freezing (-8 C). So working outdoors was a challenge!

Cambridge 800 - New York - Opening S

2009-12-20T21:04:00.006Z

Cambridge 800 - New York - Opening S, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

I have just returned from New York. After the success of the 'Cambridge 800' projection, I was asked to create a new version for the celebration of the 800th anniversary by Cambridge in America. This was a new version designed to be projected onto two walls of the Gotham Ballroom.
Each image is around 20m wide by 6m tall.

The evening itself was fantastic, hosted by Sir David Frost with Stephen Fry as the guest speaker. Both of these men are renowned for their wit, and they certainly lived up to their reputations.

Cambridge 800 - New York - Motto

2009-12-20T20:55:00.002Z

Cambridge 800 - New York - Motto, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

St Andrews Window - St Andrews Cathedral

2009-11-27T19:30:00.005Z

St Andrews Window - St Andrews Cathedral, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

The final rehearsals for the St Andrews Festival son et lumieres are taking place tonight. Two of these are being held within the grounds of St Andrew's Cathedral on the headland above the old fishing port. The ambition is to turn this into a regular event that will be bigger each year. The weather has much improved from the install day with its 70 mph gales and driving rain. Now the skys are dry and clear, which means that it is cold but perfect 'son et lumiere' weather. The pieces will run constantly from 5 till 8 pm from the 28th to the 30 November

St Andrews Festival

Chi Rho - St Andrews Cathedral

2009-11-27T19:25:00.001Z

Chi Rho - St Andrews Cathedral, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Pictish Fish - St Andrews Cathedral

2009-11-27T19:24:00.003Z

Pictish Fish - St Andrews Cathedral, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Pictish Symbology 2 - St Andrews Cathedral

2009-11-27T19:24:00.001Z

Pictish Symbology 2 - St Andrews Cathedral, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Base Camp St Andrews

2009-11-27T14:07:00.004Z

Base Camp St Andrews, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Preparations continue for the son et lumieres in St Andrews. The accommodation leaves something to be desired, however the tea making facilities are excellent.

The three projection pieces go live on Saturday night.

St Andrew's Cathedral - Altar

2009-11-16T00:37:00.005Z

St Andrew's Cathedral - Altar, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

At the end of November I have been given the opportunity to carry out three Son et Lumiere simultaneously in the town of St Andrews, Scotland.
One will be a repeat of the 'Origins' piece I created last year which will be held at St Mary's Quad. The other two are brand new and will be held at St Andrew's Cathedral, the ruins of which stand above the sea on a headland. This is a magnificent site.

The two son et lumieres are companion pieces and are called "Via Maris" and "Via Caeli". ("By Way of the Sea" and "By Way of Heaven". I hope that people will be moved by the site and its history and its place in the lives of the people that live in this magnificent part of the world.

Link to St Andrews Festival Website

St Andrew's Cathedral - Cloister

2009-11-16T00:32:00.002Z

St Andrew's Cathedral - Cloister, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Crown of Light - Durham Cathedral - Red Gold Texture

2009-11-16T00:11:00.013Z

Crown of Light - Durham Cathedral - Red Gold Texture, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

On the final night of the Lumiere Festival the estimate for the number of visitors over the four days is 75,000. This far outstripped the estimated numbers of visitors. Bravo Durham for putting on such a brave and innovative event.

You can see press reviews by following these links:

The BBC

The Guardian

The Scotsman

Crown of Light - Durham Cathedral - Cuthbert's Cross

2009-11-14T14:31:00.002Z

Crown of Light - Durham Cathedral - Cuthbert's Cross, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Crown of Light - Durham Cathedral - Luke's Gospel 1

2009-11-13T22:33:00.002Z

Crown of Light - Durham Cathedral - Luke's Gospel 1, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Crown of Light - Durham Cathedral - Starburst

2009-11-13T21:16:00.002Z

Crown of Light - Durham Cathedral - Starburst, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Crown of Light - Durham Cathedral - John's Gospel

2009-11-13T20:20:00.005Z

Crown of Light - Durham Cathedral - John's Gospel, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

The "Crown of Light" at Durham Cathedral is now live and attracting big crowds. Even the torrential rain has not put the public off. We are having ten thousand visitors a night.

This image shows the Gospel of St John from the Lindisfarne Gospels, which are one of the treasures intimately entwined with the history of Durham and its Cathedral.

This piece was created for the Lumiere festival which has filled the centre of Durham with artworks, mostly based around light. Lumiere is organised by Artichoke.

"Crown of Light" Preparation at Durham Cathedral

2009-11-11T17:29:00.006Z

"Crown of Light" Preparation at Durham Cathedral, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

These are the lineup slides being projected onto the architecture at Durham Cathedral as we prepare for the first night on Thursday. I wanted to achieve a 'magic' installation that has no shadows from the many trees in the image area. This poses a problem as to create this I needed six separate projection positions using four different lenses. However, I think that the results justify the effort required. This is part of the Lumiere Festival in Durham from the 12th to the 15th of November 2009. The soundtrack was created by Musical Director Robert Ziegler and Sound Designer John Del'Nero. Crown of light runs every half hour from 1830 to 2200 each night and is free to the public.

Awaiting the Crown of Light

2009-10-27T22:52:00.004Z

Durham Panorama, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Later in November I have been commissioned to create a piece for the front of Durham Cathedral. This will discuss Durham Cathedrals rich heritage and its place in the history of the region. The Cathedral dominates the town. The event will run from the 12th to the 15th of November and is part of the 'Lumiere' festival.

Durham Cathedral Upper Level

2009-10-27T22:48:00.004Z

Durham Cathedral Upper Level, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

I got to wander around the upper levels of the cathedral during the photo shoot for my event. This included visiting the corridor where I was told they filmed the 'Fluffy' scene in Harry Potter.

Odin's Projector

2009-10-23T11:31:00.006+01:00

Odin's Projector, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Of course it didn't stop raining. I felt sorry for the lighting crew installing the moving light high up on the slopes of Roseberry Topping with a gale blowing. However, the show night was (mostly) fine and clear if cold.

Commissioned by Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council and organized by Magnetic Events, Odin’s Glow is an ambitious series of arts installations in the small village of Newton-under-Roseberry. Located under Roseberry Topping - which has been lit with moving lights – a whole series of ats installations large and small are strung thropugh the village.

My piece ‘Landscape’ acknowledges the relationship through time between the landscape and language. Our use of language informs how we perceive the landscape. The landscape can shape our language and the way that we think. Roseberry is a transformation of ‘Odins Bjarg’ – Odin’s Hill.

I projected directly onto the landscape. At night it is difficult to judge scale but the images here are 150m wide as they hit the farthest point on the landscape. Odin’s Eye is 120m wide.

Odin's Runes 2

2009-10-23T11:24:00.005+01:00

Odin's Runes 2, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Odin's Runes 1

2009-10-23T11:24:00.004+01:00

Odin's Runes 1, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Odin's Eye

2009-10-23T11:23:00.002+01:00

Odin's Eye, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Odin's Landscape

2009-10-20T10:53:00.007+01:00

Today I start the installation of projection for 'Odin's Glow', an art festival in the village of Newton-Under-Roseberry in the North-east of England. The festival takes over the entirety of the village and is ambitious in its scope as different artists create sculpture, live theatre, projection and sound pieces scattered through the different environments of the village.

The village is dominated by 'Roseberry Topping', a hill / mountain that can trace the roots of its name back to the vikings. Roseberry came from Odins Bjarg (Odins Hill).

The weather is fine, lets hope it stays that way.

See the website at Odin's Glow

Having a lovely time in Rüdesheim

2009-10-03T10:24:00.005+01:00

Richard enjoys his dinner 'al fresco' thanks to Zum Grünen Kranz, Rüdesheim.

When our hotel found out the timetable for the event meant that we would not be able to eat a hot meal that night, they very kindly offered to bring dinner to us; even though it meant a three mile drive up a mountain to do it! The manager of Zum Grünen Kranz, Ralf Nagler brought us pork medallions in wine sauce with noodles, with a glass of the local Riesling to wash it down. As it was freezing on the mountain with a stiff wind, this was very very gratefully received. Mr Nagler, you have the thanks of a grateful (and cold) crew.

Germania Meets Europa - Europe

2009-10-03T10:02:00.006+01:00

Germania Meets Europa - Europe, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

The Statue of Germania - Das Niederwalddenkmal - Rüdesheim - Rhine Valley - Germany.

Germania is transformed into Europa. In her robes of blue and gold she stares out across the landscape of a united Europe whilst the flags of all the member states unfurl before her. The waters of all the rivers of Europe flow out from her, symbolizing a land without borders, and the uniting of the future aspirations of the peoples of Europe.

www.rheinpartie.com

Germania meets Europa - The Rheinpartie

2009-10-02T12:29:00.016+01:00

And also CLICK HERE to see the "Making of Germania Meets Europa" from German TV (HR Fehrsehen)

I was asked by the Rheinpartie to create a site specific projection piece that would reinterpret the statue of Germania into one of international European unity.

I had always had in mind that the statue would stand in water. At the base of the statue is a representation of the River Rhine in a human form. I have taken the Rhine to represent all the great rivers of Europe. As the waters of the river flow past, so the peoples of Europe have moved across the land, creating the landscape forms that we see today. As the streams merge to form rivers and flow onward to the sea, so the histories of the separate nations of Europe though sometimes turbulent, have now come together in unity.

Germania herself is now dressed in the blue and gold robes of Europa. She looks out across a united Europe whilst the flags of all the nations of Europe unfurl before her. The waters of all the rivers of Europe flow out from her carrying the hopes and aspirations of all the united member states into the future.

I commissioned soundscape designer Karen Monid to create the accompanying sound piece based on these ideas. For this piece, she needed to combine Beethoven’s Ode To Joy with this site specific projection in the Rhine Valley that would represent the European Union. She chose to follow the life of a river as the journeying theme. All rivers form part of the Water Cycle, which is a never ending movement of water from ocean to cloud to rain to spring, stream, river and back to ocean again. This also seemed appropriate as water and land know no borders or boundaries and so retain a sense of union.

The sound is not synchronised with the images. I wanted the sound to carry a slightly different message to the images in its cyclic nature.

This piece was created for the 'rheipartie', a series of light and video installations in the Rhine Valley World Heritage Site. The event ran from the 2 to the 4th of October 2009.

www.rheinpartie.com

"Germania Meets Europa"

2009-09-29T17:23:00.010+01:00

The View - The unload begins.

I have been asked to create a projection artwork for the statue of 'Germania' in the Rhine Valley, Germany. Having driven across four countries yesterday we arrived at Rudesheim am Rhein last night. This morning we began the install of the projectors into their structures. The view here is magnificent. The statue stands on the rim of the valley staring out across the river and the landscape beyond. Four hours saw the projectors installed and then it was just a wait for the power to be run in. For a crew used to working in events, the delivery method for the cable was somewhat unusual, but the professional approach taken by the German power company and the use of the cable laying machine meant that the power was laid down in around 15 minutes.

This projection work is part of the 'Rheinpartie' which will see many buildings illuminated over the weekend. For more info go to www.rheinpartie.com.

Projection structure part built.

The power arrives.

Germania awaits...

The Pittsburgh Festival of Lights - Palimpsest

2009-09-24T16:37:00.014+01:00

I was invited by The Pittsburgh Festival of Lights to create a piece for this year festival.
The resulting 5 minute work is a visual 'poem' on the theme of man's need and desire to understand the world and environments around him, and to pass on knowledge through the generations. I believe that we all have a need to make sense of the world; and that this is a basic human drive. How do we answer the Big Questions? How do we explain the universe and our place in it?

The Festival already have a PIGI 6KW projector a permanently installed on the roof of the Pittsburgh Opera office building on Penn Street.

It was a great privilege to be asked to contribute to the Festival. The blank canvass gave me plenty of creative scope to produce a work that was visually arresting - to catch people's attention. However, it was also imperative that I offered a communication in which they could actively engage so they stop, watch and think as they follow the story.
A 'Palimpsest' is a manuscript page from a scroll or book that has been scraped off and used again, thereby implying potential layers of information. In the same way man has used the ideas of past generations to build up explanations of his universe, only to reject or remodel them again and again.

This work traces the development of communication from early cave drawings and carvings thorough to hieroglyphics, the discovery of mathematics and calculus, the medieval monasteries which were powerhouses of learning in Europe through to rationalism, then on to binary code and computer languages. Binary has a special significance as a language that no one can speak, but that can be interpreted as something everyone can understand.

This event is on now and runs until the 27th of September.
It is free and open to the public.

Rockestra - Malta - The Rifffs - "Champagne Charlies Ghost"

2009-09-19T21:11:00.004+01:00

After posting the write up below, I have started to psot some of the videos that I took that night.

These first two are of The Rifffs, a storming Ska band. This is Champagne Charlies Ghost, a track I had never heard of but, its really good. I was at college in Coventry in the late '70's so Ska was part of the atmosphere at that time. A great track, well played.

Rockestra - Malta - The Rifffs - "Life of Crime"

2009-09-19T21:04:00.005+01:00

The Rifffs playing live at the Rockestra Concert in Malta in aid of the MCCF charity.

I wanted to have a very different look from their other piece that night whilst keeping their red / white / black colour scheme.

'Rockestra' - Malta - The show begins...

2009-09-16T23:20:00.022+01:00

Rockestra Ident, originally uploaded by Ross Ashton.

Thanks for coming to look at my blog. This is a new venture for me, but I hope that you find it interesting.

If you are here, I guess you may be interested in large scale, monumental and architectural projection.

I have recently returned from a week in Malta working on the 'Rockestra' concert. This is somewhat different for me as I am know mostly for my outdoor architectural work. This isn't the first time that I have worked on concerts like this, but I do find a blank canvas opens up different possibilities than three dimensional architecture. I was asked by the President of Malta, George Abela to work on this project to raise money for the Malta Community Chest Fund. President Abele is the patron of this charity. I have a long track record of doing large events in Malta starting with working at the launch of the Freeport in 1999 and, most significantly working on the 'Welcome Europe' event in 2004. In all, I have produced seven events there. This was my chance to give something back to a country that has been very good to me.

Music Was My First Love - Brass Machine

Musical Director, Sigmund Mifsud had already chosen and orchestrated a series of rock classics pieces to be played by the Malta Philharmonic Orchestra. The Rockestra show took place on the 12th September at the MFCC. Ticket sales were expected to be around 3,000 but I am very pleased to say that they sold out at 12,000. This is the largest indoor event ever held in Malta. The evening included pieces by Coldplay, Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, The Eagles and John Miles, so had a strong 70’s leaning and I wanted to reflect that in the imagery. The local artists were The Riffs, Jotham Saliba, Claire Caruana, Alex Bezzina, Raquela, Neville Refalo, Daniel Cauchi, Ruben Zahra, Paul Borg Bonaci and DJ Owen.

Deep Purple Medley - 70's Pyramid Power

I was out in Malta with Karen Monid and Richard Porter who made a great team working long hours to make this something special for this charitable event. Excellent work chaps!

See more of my work at: www.rossashton.com

See many more photos on Flickr at my Photostream: Ross Ashton.