Gateway of India – one of the colossal legacy symbols of Colonial India – has been as big witness to many things and events in Pre- and Post-Independent India since its creation. While its creation in early 20th century was to greet the first landing of King George V and Queen Mary on Indian shores in 1911, its latest expression recently was to celebrate the 75th anniversary of their troops departure from the country.
Yes! The mammoth monument played a mesmerizing spectacle recently when a permanent projection mapping install had been made as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of Indian Independence, highlighting Maharashtra’s contribution to Freedom Struggle.
Delhi-based e-Factor Experiences Pvt Ltd took the honours of staging the grand spectacle, in association with Christie Digital and…
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Located on the waterfront at the Apollo Bunder area in South Mumbai, the Gateway of India was erected to greet King George V and Queen Mary on their first visit to India in 1911. Standing at 26 meters (85 feet) in height and made of basalt, it has also been referred to as the Taj Mahal of Mumbai, and is among the city’s top tourist attractions.
The monument is the latest in the series of AV technology-powered celebration of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav (75 years of Indian Independence) initiated across the country. Owing to its prominence in the country’s modern history, Maharashtra’s contribution to the country’s Freedom Struggle has been made a focal point of the AV programme.
New Delhi-based events experiences solutions specialist E Factor landed the prestigious project to create the intended experiences. A total of eight Christie Crimson WU31 laser projectors were used for this permanent installation.
The E Factor team, in collaboration with Christie, designed and manufactured bespoke weatherproof enclosures for the Crimson WU31 projectors. These enclosures are equipped with intelligent automation systems that can detect any changes in temperature or humidity, ensuring that the projectors remain functional and secure. To prevent automation failure, E Factor installed an external parameter reading system that provides digitalized readings in real-time.
“After conducting extensive market research, we chose the Christie’s Crimson WU31 projector for this project, as it met all our requirements in terms of brightness, performance, and installation flexibility,” says Jai Thakore, co-founder and chief operating officer, E Factor. “Over the past few years, the Crimson Series has breathed life into numerous landmarks across India, and we are well-versed with its exceptional specifications and capabilities,” he reasons.
“We are excited to deploy them to showcase one of India’s most iconic landmarks in the best possible light.”
The projectors housed in enclosures are then fitted on towers positioned 100 meters (328 feet) away from the monument, ensuring that the projections are visible from a distance. To further enhance the visual experience, additional rolled-in screens are deployed on all three arches of the Gateway of India. This is the first time such an approach is taken, resulting in a multi-dimensional and multi-layered experience that complements the existing façade of the Gateway of India.
“The Christie Crimson WU31 projectors exceeded our expectations in terms of brightness and color accuracy; they successfully showcased the specially created visual content on the façade of the Gateway of India monument, much to the satisfaction of our stakeholders,” Thakore reasoned their opting on Christie. “We are proud of the outcome and the impact that it has had on the monument’s overall visual appeal.”
Says Rishubh Nayar, sales director for India, Enterprise, Christie: “We’re thrilled that the Gateway of India is illuminated using our Crimson WU31 laser projectors for this magnificent light and sound show, which commemorates Maharashtra’s significant role in India’s Independence movement. We extend our warmest congratulations to the E Factor team for creating an awe-inspiring spectacle that aptly showcases the full potential of our laser projectors, which have garnered a reputation for delivering exceptional results in various large-scale projection mapping projects across India.”
Engineered to withstand the rigors of demanding, high-usage applications, the Christie Crimson Series projectors are built tough and feature an IP5X-sealed, solid-state laser light source providing years of reliable, low-cost and virtually maintenance-free operation. Equipped with 31,500 lumens, these high-brightness laser projectors produce bright and stunningly colorful images. Along with the ultra-fast processing of Christie TruLife electronics and built-in warp and blend capabilities of Christie Twist, they offer installation flexibility and amazing visual experiences.
In India, the Crimson Series has been used in major projects such as the Statue of Unity in Gujarat, Statue of Equality in Hyderabad, and Milan Mela complex in Kolkata.
