INTERACTIVE VIDEO MAPPING FOR THE CHRISTMAS CAPITAL

AN INNOVATIVE COLLABORATIVE EXPERIENCE AT CHRISTMAS

EKnown as the Christmas Capital, Strasbourg glitters and sparkles every winter, attracting visitors from all over the world with its traditional Yuletide festivities.

For Christmas 2023, the city wanted to create a new point of attraction in the historic center, offering a unique collaborative experience for people of all ages.

The aim of the project was to add a modern touch to the festive season – by conjuring up a digital installation on the theme of Christmas greetings.

SPECTACULAR INTERACTIVE VIDEO MAPPING OF THE VAUBAN DAM

Working closely together with the city of Strasbourg, we dreamt up a spectacular production – a unique interactive video mapping experience for both tourists and locals.

The Barrage Vauban was chosen as the venue for the monumental video projection. This emblem of the historic Petite France district has exceptional architectural qualities, notably its imposing size, its waterside location and its high profile.

Our WE ARE WISHES™ animated wishes solution and the interactive video mapping project we created for Swarovski were the starting point for designing a whole new digital experience.

DESIGNING AND INSTALLING THE DIGITAL EXPERIENCE

To engage as many people as possible, we developed a web application connected in real time with the digital animation projected on the Barrage Vauban. As well as being child’s play to use, it could be accessed from a smartphone in four languages: French, German, English and Spanish.

From a graphics perspective, our aim was to take up where the visuals of the 2023 edition left off – including its red and gold aesthetic and powerful symbols like the heart, the snowflake and the star. We also created a soundtrack for the event, which proved to be a key element of this immersive experience.

We teamed up with video mapping specialist Alabama who was in charge of installing the video projectors, and with Xeos for sound and lighting. All the conditions were in place to enable visitors to immerse themselves in the experience, complete with optimum acoustic quality.

AN ENCHANTING AND ENGAGING CHRISTMAS ANIMATION

Compelled by the sheer scale of the installation's projection and music, the public became part of the experience by flashing QR codes placed along the Ponts Couverts opposite the Barrage Vauban.

Having chosen their preferred language on the event's app, participants then selected a Christmas symbol and wish and sent them to the façade. Snowflakes, stars and hearts magically emerged from the water and flew away in a swirl of golden particles. Along the way, they revealed participants' wishes on the Barrage Vauban, adding to the city's magical atmosphere.

COLLECTIVE GREETINGS FOR SHARED CHRISTMAS VALUES

Every five minutes, the Christmas symbols sent by the public came to life to the rhythm of the music. The particles came together as if by magic to form collective Christmas messages in several languages, allowing all participants to share in the traditional values of Strasbourg and Christmas.

ORIGINALITY AND SUCCESS OF THE INTERACTIVE VIDEO MAPPING PROJECT

Over the three evenings, more than 1,200 visitors attended this interactive experience and shared their animated wishes. As well as being a highly innovative and engaging experience, it reinforced the strong sense of community and sharing that is at the heart of Strasbourg's Christmas festivities.

By fusing state-of-the-art technology with its Christmas traditions, Strasbourg has paved the way for new ideas that will inspire cities to reinvent themselves during major cultural events while still remaining very much in touch with their heritage.