Ross Ashton's UK-based The Projection Studio is consulting on India's first permanent full moving image son et lumière - 'Ishq- e- dilli' - The Love of Delhi, which is being installed at Purana Quila, an amazing 16th century fort founded by Mughal Emperor Humayun in 1533 and completed 5 years later.
Ashton was invited to join the project by its creative director and initiator Himanshu Sabharwal of Two's A Film Company, who wanted this son et lumière to be groundbreaking and completely different to anything previously seen in India. The Projection Studio is consulting on the design and installation of the projection hardware and control, and the creation of the show material.
The 50 minute show has been commissioned by the India Tourism Development Corporation, a division of the Government of India to coincide with the opening of the 19th Commonwealth Games to be staged in Delhi in October 2010.
As part of the package, Ashton has specified the first Christie 20K video projectors to be used in India on a son et lumiere. These will be controlled by a Watchout system.
One of the major technical challenges will be dealing with the multiple depths of field involved in using the building as a surface, and making the content fit appropriately.
Ashton has produced temporary projection artworks in India before. In fact, it's one of his favourite countries and he appreciates the colour, richness and diversity of life and work there. He says, "It is an absolute privilege to be asked to work here again, especially on a project as high profile and ambitious as this - in one of the most important cities in the world. It's always good to be involved with creating something unique and new, and even better when it involves a fabulous, historically significant building".
The site is also perceived to be that of the mythological city of Indraprastha, cited in the great epic Mahabharata, and it has been occupied since 800 BC. The Humayun Gate at the south of the Fort makes a stunning backdrop as the story unfolds - recounting the history, culture and heritage of the 10 cities of Delhi with its phoenix like character.
The installation is scheduled to be live by late summer.
Himanshu Sabharwal is a post graduate in film & TV production from Xaviers's Bombay, with 15 years of experience in theatre, live events, television, advertising and commercials.
Ross Ashton is a large format projection artist and design and technical consultant for all aspects of monumental projection. He works internationally at and with all types of locations, buildings and sites.
Sound designer Girja Shanker Vohra has worked on international documentaries, films, commercials and in the theatre. He is trained at the Film & TV Institute of India, Pune.
For more press info on The Projection Studio, please contact Louise Stickland on +44 (0)1865 202679/+44 (0)7831 329888 or Email [email protected]. To contact The Projection Studio direct, please call +44 208 477 4490.