Lori H. Ersolmaz | Poetic Films

Notes from: The VideoDome

I spent 2020 and 2021 on-and-off preparing for the videodome installation. Projection mapping is a cross between art and technology. While I like to think I’ve got the art down, we all know getting technology to work the way we want is sometimes frustrating. I was excited, yet challenged about how to project a film in a 20’x20’ planetarium shape, something I had never done before. I had one projector at the time, yet my naïveté and drive simply motivated me to experiment with the most basic tools—a laptop and one projector. For anyone who doesn’t know much about projection art, a high lumen projector alone can cost anywhere between $20,000 and $100,000. Often the projectors are ‘banked’ together to create double the light power. At night in public spaces ambient light is only combated with high lumen projectors and it comes at a steep price. I simply decided the issue would not deter me.

I read quite a bit on the subject and everything suggested using five projectors for a strong image in a large size dome. I was wondering how I was going to fund it and technically make it happen, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic, which was when I initially launched the Good Natured Project. It took me two years and three previous projects at Mercato (Naples, FL) to feel confident enough to tackle the videodome exhibit. In the end, I found a way to create an immersive experience with one (loaned) average-lumen projector.

Fortunately, during project #2 while projecting onto a building from underneath a gigantic ficus tree, I met a teacher who had a stock of projectors. Without him and our friendship I would never have had installation #3 in a 3500 sq ft gallery space with ten projectors.

Technically, that exhibit was simple in comparison to the videodome. However, it was confidence building and created forward momentum. The videodome is an art installation in an open public space requiring set-up and take-down in the same night. In five days and less than ten hours, nearly 600 people sat inside and watched a short film about nature based on poetry—often referred to as filmpoetry, videopoetry or poetic films. A dome creates distortion and the moving images I used for the film were selected with the dome shape in mind, re-edited and tested numerous times. The result was nature as abstraction. It sparked some thoughtful conversations with the public about climate concerns and protecting nature.

This project required a high degree of experimentation and tolerance for failure. I feel a sense of accomplishment because against all odds, with a little bit of ingenuity and a lot of preparation I created a successful and consistent installation each night for people of all ages to enjoy—and with the lowest budget imaginable.

Working with the Mercato team over the past few years has been a highly positive experience. I had the opportunity for nearly 1,000 people to see my work with many meaningful conversations about poetic films, nature, the environment and actions to become better stewards of our natural Florida resources. The Mercato vision, creativity and support including brainstorming, experimentation, ambient lighting considerations, wayfinding, marketing, social media and security have all been essential in executing professional exhibitions and I am grateful to have a partnership with them.

My favorite comment came from an 8-year old boy on the last night, “It kind of looks like an optical illusion!” That says it succinctly!

~Lori H. Ersolmaz