Christie’s RGB pure laser projectors are part of Curiosity Hall, a new experience at Allentown, Pennsylvania’s Da Vinci Science Center. Ideum, a creator of digital experiences, led the design and integration of the project, which features a huge interactive projection surface that’s 58ft wide by 53ft high – or over 3,000sqft – that is illuminated by Christie M 4K25 RGB pure laser projectors and GS Series 1DLP laser projectors.
Da Vinci Science Center recently reopened in a new, 67,000sqft state-of-the-art downtown location. It features more than 50 interactive exhibits and programmes for learners of all ages. The surface is part of Curiosity Hall, an immersive and participatory theatre.
Ideum illuminated the massive canvas with three Christie 25,300 lumen M 4K25 RGB pure laser projectors with UHD 4K resolution and five 11,850 lumen DWU1100-GS laser projectors with WUXGA resolution.
Ideum used the M 4K25 RGB projectors to cover three-quarters of the large surface and used the DWU1100-GS projectors to focus on a smaller section of the surface. This allowed Ideum to expand the projection surface from the original 48ft to 58ft and have a higher PPI [pixels per inch] at the floor.
The initiative began in 2021, when the science centre approached Ideum with a vision for Curiosity Hall, an immersive and participatory theatre planned for its new downtown location.
George Hardebeck, director of media systems, Ideum, explained: “The intent of the theatre is to focus on inspiring the curiosity of da Vinci in the three major fields of his study: art, engineering, and the human body. We designed a technical platform and the infrastructure to support not only the projection screen but also the nine Ideum 43in Drafting II kiosks that allow the audience to create characters for the immersive worlds. We also designed the network infrastructure to support this technically complex system.”
He added: “Guests can create 3D interactive content on Ideum’s kiosks, including Renaissance-inspired self-portraits and modern flying machines, or explore the kinetics of the human body. All areas of study throughout da Vinci’s life. Once created, these are launched onto the 3,000sqft projection screen and take on a life of their own!”
With nine kiosks, the Hall can accommodate 216 users per hour. The installation took four months and included deployment, testing, and time to review media on the system.
Hardebeck said: “Prototyping a 3,000sqft projection isn’t always possible, so we got loaner projectors from Christie multiple times during the two years of production to do scale tests on the exterior surface of a local brewery.”
Patrick Ellis, senior territory sales manager, Christie, concluded: “Curiosity Hall is a masterpiece of creativity, technology, and innovation. Ideum has created yet another stunning interactive display, and we’re thrilled to have helped them in the journey to bring this exhibit to fruition.”
