Key Takeaways:
- The Museum of Art + Light (MoA+L) in Manhattan, Kansas, is using over 100 Epson laser projectors to create immersive art experiences.
- The projectors provide flexible throw distance and aspect ratios, precise brightness and resolution, and are used to display art-quality images at close range.
- The museum’s use of Epson projectors has enabled it to create a unique and innovative space that brings art to life in new and exciting ways.
- The MoA+L is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit contemporary art museum that merges 21st-century technology with the visual and performing arts.
- Epson’s technology has played a crucial role in the museum’s success, providing high-quality projection and enabling the creation of immersive experiences.
Introduction to the Museum of Art + Light
The Museum of Art + Light (MoA+L) in Manhattan, Kansas, is a unique and innovative space that is pushing the boundaries of what a museum can be. With a focus on merging 21st-century technology with the visual and performing arts, the museum is creating immersive experiences that are engaging audiences and bringing art to life in new and exciting ways. At the heart of this vision is the use of over 100 Epson laser projectors, which are providing the high-quality projection needed to create these immersive experiences.
The Vision Behind the Museum
The MoA+L vision began nearly six years ago with a bold idea – to build a museum that blends traditional collections with immersive digital experiences for 21st-century visitors. The museum’s executive director, Erin Dragotto, said, "We’re building entirely new artistic worlds, and that requires state-of-the-art technology." The museum’s creative director, Sydney Bouhaniche, led the design process with precision, building a full 3D model of the space and assessing multiple projector brands before choosing Epson. "Epson consistently delivered the best results in pixel clarity, color reproduction, projector count, and lens options," he said.
The Technology Behind the Museum
The museum uses 108 Epson 10,000-lumen laser projectors with a variety of lenses, along with short-throw models for specialized spaces. These projectors deliver crystal-clear, lifelike images, which are vital for close-range viewing in immersive environments. The museum also uses two high-powered 20,000-lumen large-venue laser models to power the building’s front-facing projection mapping. The projectors are paired with a Modulo Pi media system, and the museum runs 24 servers, each feeding six projectors. A custom tool splits the 12,000-pixel-wide animations into wall-specific files with the correct naming conventions, allowing each server to automatically identify its content for a seamless, automated workflow.
The Erosion of Time Immersive Exhibition
One of the museum’s current exhibitions is the Erosion of Time, which pairs contemporary artists Dean Mitchell and Des Lucréce in an immersive exhibition designed by MoA+L’s motion graphics team. Visitors begin in the Mez Gallery One, a 360-degree projection environment featuring Lucréce’s layered digital work exploring belonging, memory, and life between cultures. The journey continues through the Mez Gallery Two, a curved projection gallery of Mitchell’s portraits and landscapes, arranged from 400 high-resolution images to form a visual narrative on community, dignity, and empathy. Both artists were deeply moved by seeing their work at this scale, with Lucréce saying, "I think it was the first time I was truly stopped in my tracks by seeing my own work."
The Impact of the Museum
The MoA+L is more than just a museum – it’s a creative hub where art and innovation intersect. The museum’s use of Epson projectors has enabled it to create a unique and innovative space that brings art to life in new and exciting ways. The museum’s executive director, Erin Dragotto, said, "We’re being recognized globally, regionally, and locally, and what impresses me most isn’t the statistics, it’s the reactions we’re receiving and the grassroots impact we’re creating." Epson’s group product manager, Gavin Downey, said, "Their use of Epson projectors in this unique space pushes the boundaries of aspect ratios, installation techniques, and blending methods, and we can’t wait to see even more remarkable art come to life."
Conclusion
The Museum of Art + Light is a unique and innovative space that is pushing the boundaries of what a museum can be. With its use of over 100 Epson laser projectors, the museum is creating immersive experiences that are engaging audiences and bringing art to life in new and exciting ways. The museum’s focus on merging 21st-century technology with the visual and performing arts is creating a new standard for cultural innovation, and its use of Epson projectors has played a crucial role in its success. As the museum continues to evolve and grow, it will be exciting to see what new and innovative experiences it will create.