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....
Sunday, 19 December 2010
Santa's Camel - Merry Christmas
Monday, 1 November 2010
Grow Happy Rose
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.
Saturday, 30 October 2010
Rose - Stained Glass Architectural
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!
Thursday, 28 October 2010
From New York to Old York
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
Friday, 22 October 2010
Three Faiths - New York Public Library
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.
Saturday, 16 October 2010
Stained Glass
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.
Tuesday, 12 October 2010
"Illuminata" Caerphilly Castle
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.
Friday, 8 October 2010
Wednesday, 29 September 2010
Splendors
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.
Friday, 6 August 2010
New Zealand Army Haka - Rehearsal
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!
Monday, 5 July 2010
Saturday, 26 June 2010
Daktari
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.
Tuesday, 22 June 2010
Installation at Soccer City
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.
Sunday, 23 May 2010
Wednesday, 31 March 2010
A New Hope.....
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.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
And the winner is...
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
Wednesday, 10 March 2010
The Awards are coming...
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.
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
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
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.
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Monday, 18 January 2010
Mary - Stained Glass
The Old School at Cambridge. We had 8,000 visitors last night alone, which is excellent
Follow these links for press:
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Cambridge 800
The projection event is now live. See more pictures of the event by clicking on this photo.
Friday, 15 January 2010
800th Anniversary Logo
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!
Saturday, 9 January 2010
Kings College - Survey Photography
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
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!
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