Christie projectors bring China’s Big Ben to life
- Details
Affectionately known as China’s Big Ben, the 66m-high clock tower was built more than 20 years ago and is one of the most recognisable landmarks of Hebi, a prefecture-level city in northern Henan province known for its rich coal reserves. In a move to soften the city’s industrialized image and inject more vibrancy to Hebi’s administrative, cultural and leisure precinct known as New Century Square, the municipal government commissioned an exciting four-sided projection mapping show on the façade of Hebi Clock Tower. This means that spectators can enjoy the visuals regardless of which side of the tower they are facing.
The ambitious project was undertaken by Christie’s partner Zhongqing Yingye Group using a total of 20 Christie DWU2022-HS 1DLP laser projectors specifically developed for the Chinese market. Achieving 20,600 lumens and weighing less than 42 kg (100 lbs.), the Christie DWU2022-HS produces amazing, true-to-life visuals, thanks to the enhanced colour accuracy of Christie’s BoldColor Technology and WUXGA resolution.
A spokesperson for Zhongqing Yingye Group says: “We are proud to be involved in this sensational 3D projection mapping light show on all sides of Hebi Clock Tower, which is one of the most prominent contemporary structures in Henan province. We have chosen Christie’s high-brightness DWU2022-HS for this project due to its long-lasting, solid-state illumination in a rugged and compact chassis. At the same time, this projector model is equipped with powerful and easy to use features, and is well suited for demanding, large venue events and applications.”
The 20 DWU2022-HS projectors are divided into four groups, with five projectors used for projections on each side of the clock tower. They are fitted with telephoto lenses, double-stacked and installed in customized enclosures to protect them from inclement weather. Finally, the projectors are strategically positioned at a distance of between 28 and 56m from the clock tower, and the images are meticulously warped and blended to achieve optimal effect.
Zhongqing Yingye Group’s spokesperson added that the show’s high-quality projections have set a new benchmark for large-scale cultural events in China’s north-central region, and the client is very satisfied with the outcome. “Since its official debut, the nightly projection mapping show at New Century Square has become an instant hit with the public, attracting huge crowds to experience vibrant and dynamic images on the tower.
April Qin, sales director for China, enterprise, Christie, comments: “We are delighted that Zhongqing Yingye Group has accomplished a fascinating projection mapping show on Hebi’s clock tower using the award-winning DWU2022-HS laser projectors to celebrate the city’s development and achievements. With their compact form factor and omnidirectional capabilities, the HS Series is perfect for this highly anticipated nighttime performance.”
