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First Kings of Europe: Funeral Pyre Projection Mapping Installation

About the Project

First Kings of Europe: Funeral Pyre Projection Mapping Installation

For the First Kings of Europe exhibition, I created a projection mapping installation to animate a life-sized funeral pyre diorama. The design challenge was to evoke the atmosphere of a 3,000-year-old funerary ritual while working within the constraints of a museum environment.

 

I worked closely with curators to understand the archaeological and cultural context of southeastern European cremation rituals. The goal was to visualize the ceremony with historical accuracy while keeping the tone solemn and respectful.

Technical Planning: Using 3D scans and scaled models of the diorama, I previsualized projection layouts to determine sightlines, distortion points, and areas of emphasis.

Content Creation: Layered motion graphics simulated fire, smoke, and ritual atmosphere without overpowering the physical artifacts. Subtle animations highlighted details such as offerings placed on the pyre.

Projection Mapping: I aligned the visuals to the contours of the pyre structure, ensuring clean edge blends and minimal light spill onto surrounding exhibits. Specialized warping and masking techniques allowed the content to integrate seamlessly with the diorama.

 

The final installation transformed the static pyre into an evocative, time-based experience. Projection mapping conveyed the communal and ceremonial aspects of ancient funerary practices while maintaining curatorial authenticity. Visitors encountered not just an object, but a reconstructed ritual moment brought to life through design and technology.