The Barco projections showcase our video art in the most vibrant and impactful way possible. It brings a new level of engagement and excitement to our nightly displays.
A tower of light: illuminating art at The Momentary
United States · 2025
Nestled in downtown Bentonville, Arkansas, the Momentary is a decommissioned cheese factory turned creative hub where the art of the moment comes alive. This vibrant space is all about connecting communities to unforgettable experiences - from visual and performing arts to live music, culinary delights, and artists-in-residence. In 2024, The Momentary took a bold step to enhance its artistic offerings through a new permanent outdoor video mapping installation on the tower’s glass façade, utilizing Barco's UDX-4K40 projector.
Barco solutions:
- UDX-4K40
Key benefits:
- High brightness levels deliver stunning clarity on the glass surface
- Premium image quality creates a dynamic experience and high visual impact
- Reliable performance ensures consistent high-quality projections night after night
Context
Opened to the public in 2020, The Momentary is designed as a platform for today’s art, food, and music, celebrating local heroes and international stars. Where a traditional art museum relies on formality, the Momentary is casual and flexible. Visitors can enjoy food and drink, work on their laptop, or meet with peers simultaneously with art exhibits.
Wheeler Kearns Architects transformed the old cheese plant into a contemporary art space, featuring a striking eighty-seven-foot-tall tower adorned with a projectable glass rainscreen, optimal for reflecting light. The exterior glass panels incorporate an arrow pattern artwork inspired from ceremonial weaving motifs, designed by Osage artist Addie Roanhorse.
The glass tower creates a unique projection surface for a new video mapping installation showcases artworks, concerts, and events, making The Momentary a dynamic and welcoming hub for creativity and economic vitality.
Challenge
The installation posed several challenges. The glass surface itself is an artwork. The intricate woven design features varying opacities and a pattern of arrowheads that act like pixels, making precise projection mapping essential to preserve the integrity of the indigenous artwork.
In addition, incorporating LED lighting with the projection mapping demanded advanced technical skills. The synchronization of these visual elements was crucial to create a seamless and immersive experience. The LED lighting needed to complement the projections without overpowering them, requiring careful calibration and coordination between the lighting and projection systems.
Furthermore, the system needed to function flawlessly on a nightly basis, including live camera feeds during concerts. This high usage demand meant that the equipment had to be reliable and robust, capable of delivering consistent performance under varying conditions.
Solution
To bring the tower's projection surface to life, The Momentary chose Barco's UDX-4K40 projector for its exceptional performance and reliability. This projector, with its 37,500 lumens and 4K UHD resolution, was the perfect choice to illuminate the intricate glass façade. The projector's high brightness and wide color spectrum allowed it to project clear and vibrant images on the glass surface for a visually stunning experience.
The UDX compact design and integrated cooling system made it ideal for the demanding outdoor environment, ensuring consistent performance even under varying conditions. This system prevented overheating and maintained optimal performance, which was essential for the projector to deliver high-quality images consistently, night after night. The projector provided The Momentary with a solution that was both practical and powerful, capable of meeting the high demands of their nightly video mapping installations.
The technical setup also included a D&B audiotechnik sound system, ensuring high-quality audio playback, and LED immersive lighting effects to complement the projections. This comprehensive solution allowed The Momentary to offer a multisensory experience, transforming the tower into a living canvas that showcased video art, concerts, and events.
Results
The Momentary's tower now serves as a dynamic canvas for video art, concerts, and events. The UDX projection mapping creates a mesmerizing experience for visitors transforming the tower into a living artwork. The installation has not only elevated the artistic offerings of The Momentary but also reinforced its position as a catalyst for creativity and economic vitality in the region.
Anders Fredlund, Technical Director at The Momentary: “The Barco projections showcase our video art in the most vibrant and impactful way possible. It brings a new level of engagement and excitement to our nightly displays, making each event a memorable experience for our visitors.”
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