2026-05-07
In the heart of Mumbai's Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC) Art House—a world-class hub for cultural innovation—an immersive exhibition titled Doug Aitken: UNDER THE SUN is captivating visitors. At the center of the gallery stands a monumental cylindrical LED light sculpture, 6 meters high and 6 meters in diameter, suspended with hundreds of pixel LED tubes that deliver a vision of the future.
This creation is the work of internationally renowned artist Doug Aitken, with Seekway Innovations executing the lighting products and animation effects to transform the artist's conceptual blueprint into a fully realized, immersive experience.
Doug Aitken: UNDER THE SUN exhibition is structured as a multi-layered immersive journey across three floors, exploring themes of the past, present, and future through a cohesive narrative.
On the third floor, featuring soaring double-height ceilings as the trilogy's final chapter, a vast cylindrical light sculpture commands the space.
Photography by Dhrupad Shukla/Floating Home Studio
The sculpture represents an abstract planet composed entirely of light—a glowing sphere. The tubes provide 360° uniform illumination, with the ability to expand outward or contract inward, while colors and saturation levels change dynamically.
This element symbolizes "The Future" in an abstract, engaging way, offering visitors a deeply immersive encounter.
The installation is accompanied by grand sound effects, perfectly blending with the lighting and synchronizing the rhythm. Live performances can further enhance this effect and present it in real time in synchronization with the constantly changing visual effects.
This environment transcends traditional narrative methods, fusing light and sound to create a completely immersive experience.
Seekway Innovations' 3D LED animation team dealt with the task of converting Doug Aitken's abstract concepts into practical, dynamic displays. The vision involved light patterns that needed to flow naturally in a large-scale, real-time system, all within just three months that pushed for frequent refinements.
The team started by examining the artistic script and consulting with designers on key elements. They focused on delivering vivid three-dimensional expression, delicate color rendering, and dynamic effects to align closely with the creative vision. Changes persisted up to the week prior to the exhibition's start, including hands-on debugging at the site to align synchronization. This step-by-step handling kept the animations operational within the setup as planned.
The core structure supporting the light and shadow effects was a sizable 3D LED light matrix, 6 meters in diameter and height. The engineering team managed demands for proper load distribution, weight control, and safety measures in a busy venue, while adhering to the site's bearing standards under pressing deadlines.
Seekway Innovations, through professional assessments, designed custom structures suited for on-site installation, emphasizing control of the overall suspended weight below 1.8 tons—roughly the weight of a small car—to meet the on-site installation requirements. This required a professional and rigorous design of the structure, helping the project stay on track.
The project moved forward with overlapping phases of animation work, engineering efforts, and site-based setup. This setup demanded steady coordination to address requirements and sustain progress toward the objectives.
Engineers in Mumbai linked up with distant technical and animation groups, carrying out modifications as the work progressed.
The installation's debut introduced some maintenance considerations, such as ensuring consistent operation in the venue's live environment. This involved monitoring for any aspects that might need attention over the course of the show.
Seekway Innovations, through close collaboration and coordination with the design team, provided professional after-sales service and technical support as needed post-opening, ensuring the entire project ran stably and excellently throughout the exhibition period.
Ultimately, at the NMACC Art House, Seekway Innovations achieved a blend of technology and art. Visitors stepping into the "future" space experience a dynamic "planet of light"—its shifts, color storytelling, and integrated sound creating an environment apart from everyday reality.
Seekway Innovations is a leading provider of 3D Volumetric LED displays, control systems, and custom lighting solutions, specializing in innovative technologies for commercial, architectural, and artistic projects worldwide.
