Projection mapping isn’t new. In 1958, the Brussels World Fair featured Laterna Magika, a live performance that leveraged a projection-mapped backdrop. In 1969, projection mapping technology was used at the grand opening of Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion ride. Disney’s ghostly, singing busts served as the first example of how projection mapping on a non-flat surface could be combined with artistic vision to inspire awe and wonder (and even a mild fright) in audiences.

Still, even several decades later in 2014, most people weren’t familiar with projection mapping. Very few considered using projection mapping for a grand art festival, especially not for an outdoor event utilizing a city's existing architecture. This was particularly unexpected for the city of Binghamton, New York.

Yet, that’s exactly what the founders of LUMA were thinking. In 2015, the first LUMA projection arts festival debuted. Since that day, LUMA has consistently shown that projection mapping can inspire awe and wonder on a massive scale.

This year LUMA celebrated its tenth anniversary, with Panasonic Connect onboard as its exclusive projection technology partner. As with years past, artistic vision and technology merged to create an unforgettable event.

Photo Credit: Van Zandbergen Photography

LUMA and Panasonic Connect: Projection Mapping Partners

Joshua Bernard Ludzki, co-founder of LUMA, stated that the inception of LUMA involved the founders experimenting with projection mapping in his apartment, using office projectors to map his kitchen cabinets. As LUMA expanded, its technological requirements also grew. In order for artists to maximize their potential and for audiences to fully engage with projection mapping, LUMA sought a partner.

Panasonic Connect, as the exclusive projection technology partner of LUMA, allowed the festival to scale up and better meet demand. The benefits of this partnership were clear from the start:

• Equipment – Panasonic Connect was able to provide LUMA with the best in projection technology. Large format 3DLP projectors at 20k lumens and above allowed for vibrant, awe-inspiring exhibits at this year’s festival. Various high-quality lenses facilitated projection mapping onto existing architecture. And other live event tools keep LUMA running smoothly each year.
  
  
• Support – The LUMA festival is no easy feat to pull off. An outdoor live event necessitates equipment working in various weather and crowd environments. Staff with varied expertise means all tech needs to be easy to use. And for art to be showcased, the tech needs to remain unobtrusive. Panasonic Connect equipment and support staff met those challenges so artists could keep their focus where it belonged: art and storytelling.
  
  
• Community Engagement – LUMA was designed to showcase and support the Binghamton community. LUMA’s partnership with Panasonic Connect allows costs to remain low, keeping most festival exhibits free to attend and maximizing the economic impact (up to $900,000 per night) of the event. This also allows LUMA to continue engaging the community beyond festival weekend through free projection mapping classes and by encouraging community art submissions.

LUMA co-founder Tice Lerner noted that Panasonic's technology and engineering support is "game changing" and has enabled them to focus on their primary vision — "telling stories from cutting-edge artists.”

LUMA and Panasonic Connect Allow Artists to Explore the Limits of Projection Mapping

The tenth anniversary of LUMA brought out the best in both projection mapping technology and artistic vision. During this year’s LUMA festival, artists continued to tell stories that delighted attendees.

Photo Credit: Van Zandbergen Photography

Glitch Celebrates Surrealism with a Reverie Reflecting Our Subconscious

In addition to LUMA’s tenth-anniversary celebration, there was also a celebration of the hundredth anniversary of surrealism. Belgium artist Glitch utilized four PT-RQ22 projectors and D75LE10 lenses to transform 49 Court Street into an abstract journey through sleep. Reverie combined surreal, dreamlike visuals and evocative music to guide audiences through dreams and nightmares, allowing them to consider the complex and beautiful landscape of our unconscious mind.

The Past and the Future Co-Exist at Mindscape’s Neon Nexus

Neon Nexus: An Organic Awakening is what happens when elements of Art Deco, Art Nouveau and science fiction come together. Romanian artist Mindscape combined the classic architecture of 95 Court Street with cutting-edge projection mapping technology. Three PT-RQ35 projectors and D75LE20 lenses transformed the building with neon-lit glass, intricate patterns and chrome-like, insect designs that represented nature’s guardians.

Los Romeras Creates Casual Fusion, Visuals of the Core Elements of Humanity

Knowledge is ever-present when your canvas is the façade of the Carnegie Library at 78 Exchange Street. In Casual Fusion, Spanish artist Los Romeras started with that backdrop of knowledge, then used three PT-RZ21 projectors and D75LE20 lenses to project definitional elements of our shared humanity. The result was an unforgettable celebration of art and music that was a visual and aural feast for audiences.

Go on a Three-Part Journey at Ruestungsschmie.de's Blue Cubed

Color can hold profound significance in art. German artist Ruestungsschmie.de used a three-part structure in their exhibit Blue Cubed at 79 Collier Street to explore the symbolism behind the color blue in the US flag. The three segments looked at the themes of Vigilance, Perseverance, and Justice.

Maxin10sity Explores the Secrets of the Star Signs in Zodiac

Hungarian artist Maxin10sity returned to LUMA for another thought-provoking and awe-inspiring journey. This year, at 65 Hawley Street, Zodiac guided audiences through all 12 Zodiac signs. Astrological and steampunk imagery combined to create a visually stunning exhibit that invited audiences to question their place in and relationship to the cosmos.

Other Artists & Exhibits at LUMA Festival 2024

Formerly known as Mural Mappings, the Peg Johnston Living Lights Project has become a staple at LUMA. A celebration of community, this year’s edition at 34 Court Street showcased the vibrant artistic vein that runs through the Binghamton community by projecting art created and submitted by community artists.

In addition to projection mapping, this year’s LUMA festival included various artistic exhibits featuring dance and opera. There were also many smaller works for audiences to enjoy. Everything combined to create the vibrant, exciting atmosphere that people have come to expect from LUMA.

LUMA’s tenth anniversary was a joyous convergence of art and technology which managed to be reverent of the past while continuing to push the possibilities of the future.

LUMA Showcases the Possibilities of Art and Projection Mapping

Projection mapping has come a long way since the 1950s and 60s. It’s currently a multi-billion-dollar industry that is set to continue to grow.

LUMA has come a long way too. From its “homegrown” beginnings, it has become one of the premier projection mapping festivals.

And Panasonic Connect is proud to be LUMA’s exclusive projection technology partner, providing the tools needed to bring these amazing artistic visions to life. LUMA’s tenth-anniversary edition was full of incredible and memorable moments. It’s an honor to be a piece of all the incredible art LUMA has created and will continue to create in years to come.