Datsik vortex | MELT EVERYTHING

For Datsik's 2015 Ninja Nation Tour, Melt Creative created custom projection-mapped content for the Vortex, a touring scenic structure built around a performer standing inside the center of the visual field. That made the project more technically demanding than a typical mapped backdrop: the visuals had to surround the artist without putting front-of-house projector light on his face, body, or performance position.

On most projection-mapped stages, a performer in front of the mapped surface creates a hard tradeoff. If the projector covers the entire scenic piece, the performer gets hit with light. If the operator masks out the performer area, the projection leaves a dead zone or a shadow behind them. The Vortex solved that problem with a keyhole-shaped opening at the back of the design.

We mapped the front of the Vortex from front of house while intentionally excluding the keyhole area, then mapped the rear section with a second projector from behind the scenic structure. The result let the artist perform inside the Vortex without being washed by projector light, while the audience still saw active visuals glowing behind him instead of a blank mask or silhouette.

Because the show toured through rooms with different stage heights, depths, projector positions, and throw distances, this was also a nightly alignment challenge. Our operator, VJ Infinight, had to converge two separate projection systems and line the content up precisely in each venue so the front and rear maps read as one continuous dimensional environment.

Technical Approach

Projection problem: Keep the performer inside the mapped stage picture without projecting directly onto his face or body.
Stage solution: Use the Vortex's keyhole opening as a clean separation point between the front mapped shell and the rear mapped surface.
Projector strategy: Map the front scenic geometry from front of house, then use a rear projector to fill the visual field behind the artist.
Touring challenge: Rebuild the projector alignment, masking, and content registration for each room as stage dimensions and throw distances changed.

20152018Artist VisualsCustom ContentDatsikLiveNinja Nation TourProjection MappingSpring 2015 TourTour VisualsVisualsVJVortex

Original archived URL Original 2018 archived URL Read article