Immersive AV Design for David Hockney's Bigger & Closer Exhibition

How do you transform 500 sqm of space into an immersive canvas for David Hockney's masterworks?

PTS was engaged by a leading exhibition company as the immersive AV design specialist to deliver the complete technical design and implementation for the debut of David Hockney: Bigger & Closer (not smaller & far away) exhibition in China.

The project required advanced projection mapping across 500 sqm of wall and floor surfaces, with museum-standard visual fidelity to create a fully immersive environment that brings six decades of the artist's vision to life.

Key Requirements included:

• Full surface projection mapping across 500 sqm of space

• Museum grade colour accuracy & brightness uniformity across all surfaces

• Optimal audio visual fidelity & uniformity across all surfaces

• Alignment between the physical & digital layers & seamless integration of pre-rendered content

• Delivery of 60 mins of 360-degree immersive experience
  

Project Highlights: Locations & Timeline: Feb to Mar 2025 (Shanghai West Bund Museum) & July 2025 (Aranya, China)

Scale: 500 sqm of Immersive Exhibition Design

Project Type: Technology Strategy, Design, Implementation and Calibration

Key Components of the Engagement

1) 3D Modelling & Projection Studies

• 3D Modelling to simulate & calibrate Throw Distance, Projection Size & Distortions
  

• Surface Geometry Mapping using 3D Scans and Architectural Drawings to ensure accurate alignment of projected content
  

• Projector Tests (Black/White Field, Grid & Colour Patterns) to evaluate Lens Sharpness, Brightness Uniformity & Edge Distortions
  

• Colour Space Calibration for Colour Consistency across Multiple Projectors & Surfaces & Real-world Calibrations (Including Brightness & Geometry Alignment) for Installation Tolerances & enable Pixel-perfect Warping, Masking & Edge Blending

2) Projection Mapping System Design, Technical Specification & System Design

• Laser Projector Systems (comprising 6 x 35K Lumens Projectors for Wall Projection Mapping & 12 x 12K Lumens Projectors for Floor Projection Mapping) were selected for Longevity, Colour Accuracy & Energy Efficiency
  

• A Scalable, Custom-Built Show Control System that integrates with Media Servers to enable Seamless LTC Content Synchronisation & Immersive Audio-Visual Experience Delivery, capable of supporting Dynamic Scene Changes, Content Playback & Live Event Operations

3) System Integration & On-site Calibration with Production Team

• Projector Tests (Black/White Fields, Grid & Colour Patterns) to verify Lens Sharpness, Brightness Uniformity, Colour Performance & Edge Distortions
  

• Colour Space Calibration across Multiple Projectors & Surfaces to ensure Colour Consistency & Accurate Colour Reproductions
  

• Real-world Calibrations (Including Brightness & Geometry Alignment) to account for Installation Tolerances, to match Actual Site Conditions
  

• Pixel-level Warping, Masking & Edge Blending to ensure Unified Projection Canvas
  

• Final On-Site Calibration using Test Patterns & Photometric Tools to fine-tune

  System Performance & Precision

Key Project Outcomes

Immersive 360° Experience Honouring the Artist’s Vision

• Delivered an Engaging, Fully Immersive Environment Showcasing Hockney’s Artistry

• Synchronised Audio-Visual Storytelling that preserves the Artist’s Masterworks

• Enabled Audiences to experience Hockney’s Work in a Dynamic, Spatial Format

Technical Excellence with Operational Flexibility & Cost Efficiency

• Achieved Uniform 250 Lux Brightness and <5% Luminance Variance

• Maintained Museum-Grade Colour Fidelity Across 18 Projectors & Multiple Surfaces

• Modular Show Control System enabled Adaptable Scene Management & Updates

• Optimised Design & Strategic Equipment Selection delivered 10% Cost Savings

  without compromising Visual Quality