Projection mapping (ie. projecting images and videos onto objects or buildings and making them look infinitely cooler) is all the rage in Japan, with the 2015 Sapporo’s Snow festival even featuring a massive one on a snow replica of Kasuga Shrine in Nara. Niigata, on the other hand, has been hosting a large projection mapping show since 2013, and stepped up its game this year by inviting mappers from around the globe to participate in a contest last month in association with the Japan Association for Projection Mapping.
The theme was 'Cross/Intersection', and the works were projected onto the Niigata City History Museum. The results? Stunning, with the winning projection (see above video) even being quite perfect for Halloween. The winners will be invited back as creators for next year’s expo, but for now we can reminiscence with some footage of their work and the very admirable runner up as well (video below). Sit in a darkened room and pop in some headphones for the ultimate immersion.
– By Kirsty Bouwers