Digital-media projection system atop Kitchener City Hall will be a test-bed for new technology

The bond between contemporary art, special events and digital technology was strengthened last night through the unveiling of a new digital-projection system that will light up the south and west faces of the 13-metre cube atop Kitchener City Hall on a nightly basis.

The digital projectors - designed, manufactured and installed by world-renowned Christie Digital Systems Canada, Inc. (www.christiedigital.com), whose national head office is located near downtown Kitchener -- are permanently mounted in specialized environmental chambers. They are plugged into a media server that is managed with a web based content management program called mymedia, which will allow city staff to schedule programming of digital media on the cube.

The digital projection provides:

• a new visual focal point for downtown;
• a new digital gallery for artists in the community;
• a test bed for new digital-projection applications and content; and visual support to events being held in the downtown.

CAFKA (Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area) previously demonstrated the potential of such an installation by utilizing two 18,000 lumens bright Christie HD DLP projectors as the centre piece of their 2007 Haptic festival. The visual impact on downtown Kitchener was substantial.

In addition, in 2007 city staff, working with corporate partners such as Christie, Communitech, Desire2Learn, Dalsa and the economic development advisory committee finalized the city's economic development strategy (2007-2010.) The strategy identifies digital media as a top emerging cluster based on the strengths of corporate and institutional partners. The projection on city hall helps to advance the strategy, by creating a new high profile venue to showcase digital media and technology.

Together, with the support of the Digital Media Convergence Centre in Downtown Kitchener, these initiatives support an integrated approach to the development of a new industry in Kitchener and help animate King Street with digital-media technology.

''Knowing how many parties were involved in bringing this concept to life shows me that this has been a tremendous, collaborative partnership,'' said Mayor Carl Zehr. ''The new digital-projection system adds an interesting dimension to city hall, as well as an incredible effect on the entire downtown. I'd encourage everyone to visit city hall in the twilight hours and see for themselves.''

''Christie is proud to support the City of Kitchener's adoption of the latest in digital-media projection technology,'' said Gerry Remers, president and COO of Christie Digital Systems Canada, Inc. ''The use of the Kitchener City Hall tower as an informative and entertaining medium is innovative, effective and eye catching; it will be seen by many as a beacon that messages Kitchener's support of our nation's innovation agenda.''

The city hall digital-projection project is currently anticipated to evolve over at least three phases. During Phase 1 (2009/2010), the projection program will promote and support city-sponsored cultural events, festivals and public-art exhibitions; and create new event opportunities.

In Phase 2 (2010/2011), staff will also explore the possibility of developing a website to support community engagement in digital media.

In Phase 3 (2011 and beyond), staff will explore opportunities for multi-site projection of programming content developed for city hall.

The program schedule for the city hall digital projection will be from dusk to 11 p.m. every day during the year, except during city-sponsored events.