Ross Ashton's UK-based The Projection Studio were technical, design and installation consultants for the projection hardware and control elements, and for the creation of the project's show material. Ashton collaborated closely with ISHQ-e-DILLI's creative director and initiator Himanshu Sabharwal of Delhi-based Two's A Film Company.
Ashton specified the first Christie 20K video projectors used in India for a son et lumière application, which are controlled by a Watchout system. The three projectors are housed in special hides and create an image 50m wide by 20m tall on the building. A major technical challenge was dealing with the multiple depths of field involved in using the Fort as a projection surface, and making the content fit appropriately.
"I specified the Christies because I know from experience that they are bright and rugged enough to deal with the tough environment, operating conditions and the schedule of nightly shows," says Ashton. The Watchout system was also chosen for its reliability and familiarity to the technicians who are maintaining the installation day-to-day.
The 40-minute show was commissioned by the India Tourism Development Corporation, a division of the Government of India. It unfolds an intricate web of stories from the time of the Pandavas to post independence India bringing to life a narrative relating the history of Delhi.
(Jim Evans)
