Ross Ashton 3D Light Projections

Introducing Ross Ashton

Since the age when cavemen painted hunting murals on the walls of caves, visual art forms have been static. The interactive experience has been limited to the intrapersonal metamorphosis, and a work of art changes only as the individual appreciating it changes – over time. Thus, when art lovers indulge in exhibits or museum tours, the objective is often to cover as much ground as possible in a day. One need only a few minutes with each painting, sculpture, or castle, to take away what their personal experience dictates.

The artwork of Ross Ashton redefines the conventional art experience. Ashton’s art incorporates multiple mediums that command the involvement of multiple senses in appreciating the artwork. There is no stop-and-go when encountering one of Ross Ashton’s projects, one is compelled to take a seat and enjoy the entire tour revealed in each piece.

The artistic beauty in architecture does not need to be static. In landscape painting and photography, composition is dictated by the natural environment, form and structures. Ashton works with the aesthetics of existing structures to offer a greater coherent and unified subject, and the projected imagery deftly weaves a seamless narrative of the experience.

“The architecture completely dictates how the images are going to work and how the images interact with the architecture”

Ashton’s work also incorporates music. He feels it is a vital component to his art medium:

“People never seem to think about sound until it’s not there. For viewers, the sound is secondary, but without it you lose 75 percent of the impact. Because of the animation and the dynamism, this form of creation really does cry out for music.”

His Story

Initially trained as a photographer, Ashton began his work with video and slide projection in London before expanding his knowledge by studying visual media in France for four years. Ross began specializing in High Power Projection in 1992, and now works exclusively with projection art. Ross does occasionally take on smaller projects, but most of his commissions are intended to celebrate specific venerated institutions. Ashton believes that architecture blends aesthetics with functionality, and is emblematic of the culture in which it exists.

“One of the things I love about what I do, is that I get the opportunity to learn about different peoples, their culture and environment”