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MAPPLIGHTS: Amplifying Urban Art Through Video Mapping

Introduction

Can you briefly introduce MAPPLIGHTS?

Our mission is to promote urban art in all its forms through video mapping projections, creative workshops, and cultural mediation activities.
We are committed to producing and showcasing urban artworks to make culture more accessible. We believe that art is a powerful vehicle for expression, dialogue, and social change. It has the ability to build bridges between communities and strengthen social bonds.
We collaborate with both local and international artists to design public installations that inspire and captivate. By integrating video mapping projections, we add an immersive visual layer to these works, enhancing the audience’s overall experience.
Our creations are displayed in public spaces, festivals, museums, and art galleries, in order to reach diverse audiences and spread urban art beyond its traditional boundaries.

How did the MAPPLIGHTS project begin?

MAPPLIGHTS was born from a deep desire: to create beauty that soothes, and magic that amazes. At first, for our own eyes. Then for others. And perhaps, who knows, to spark something even further.

Journey & Vision

What were your backgrounds before launching MAPPLIGHTS?

Cédric LinkedIn
Multimedia Graphic Design background
Art Director and Motion Designer

Alex LinkedIn
Business Management background
Project Director in branding and web

What inspired you to explore video mapping as a medium?

We were looking for a playground where visual art and technology could merge. Video mapping allows us to “amplify art with light,” as we say at MAPPLIGHTS—transforming the ordinary into an immersive atmosphere. For us, it’s a way to bring architecture or urban walls to life, and offer the audience a completely new emotional experience.

What’s your current vision of immersive art?

Immersive art is an invitation to step into a story. We start with an existing place—a building facade, a mural—and weave a harmonious visual narrative. The goal is to create a sensory connection, whether in the streets, at a festival, or during a branded event.

Projects & Creations

Can you share a project you're especially proud of?

Our collaboration with MURAL Festival in Montreal was a major highlight. That’s where we combined street art and video mapping, working alongside other artists on public projections that had a strong impact on everyone passing through Boulevard Saint-Laurent. Seeing and making others feel the harmony between a mural and live light projection—that was inspiring.

What are the key elements that define the MAPPLIGHTS style?

  • Artistic collaboration: we respect and elevate the artist’s original vision and artwork without altering it—aiming instead to bring it to life in a new way.
  • Immersive storytelling: we tell a visual story, with rhythm and depth.
  • Bold aesthetics: we’re not afraid to play with color, shape, and energy.

What does your creative process look like, from concept to projection?

  • Discovery & Listening: we talk with the artist or client to fully understand their vision.
  • Design: storyboarding, visual mockups, and artistic direction.
  • Development: visual creation—often using After Effects or Cinema 4D—plus initial mapping tests (on mockups, then on site).
  • Technical rehearsals: fine-tuning, syncing, lighting tests.
  • Execution: live projection, operated technically for a seamless and immersive result.

Tools & Workflow

What tools do you use in your creative workflow?

  • Blender and After Effects: for 2D/3D content creation before mapping.
  • HeavyM: for spatial mapping, calibration, and rendering tests on the structure.
  • High-power projectors (such as Solotech or TKLN) and control servers, often used for multi-projector setups.

How does HeavyM support your projects?

HeavyM streamlines 3D projection calibration on real-world volumes, dynamic surface mapping, and mask generation. It enables fast prototyping and precise content design.

Are there specific HeavyM features you often rely on?

  • Parametric masking: quick creation and fine-tuning of projection areas.
  • Edge blending: for seamless multi-projector synchronization.
  • Realtime interface: on-site adjustments for perfectly synced visuals in real environments.

Inspirations & Future

What are your main sources of inspiration?

  • Large-scale installations (like those from Moment Factory and other global studios/artists) — Montreal is a hotbed of creativity, especially in visual arts and mapping.
  • Festivals like MURAL and Blink Cincinnati.
  • Urban art, street culture, and contemporary visual trends.
  • Collaborations with local or international muralists and artists.

What would your dream project look like?

A mapping night or exhibition with artists like Shepard Fairey (OBEY), PichiAvo, etc.
Hosting an event or festival in Wynwood, Miami.
Creating a permanent urban mapping piece in Montreal, Paris, or even further—New York, Tokyo?

Any advice for artists wanting to start with video mapping?

  • Learn the basics of After Effects/Blender and get comfortable with mapping software like HeavyM, MadMapper, etc.
  • Test on models first—don’t calibrate directly on buildings; it avoids a lot of mistakes.
  • Collaborate: work with muralists or other artists, join festivals, and build your network. Creativity thrives on exchange and experimentation.

Coming Up…

What are your current or upcoming projects?

  • Summer 2025 | CANADA – Montreal (QC)
    Several dates across murals in SDC Hochelaga
    @mapplights
  • Summer 2025 | CANADA – Sudbury (ON)
    Participation in UPHERE urban art & music festival
    Artistic installation & mapping with ANKHONE
    @ankh_one
  • Fall 2025 | EUROPE – Berlin
    Mapping activation in a climbing space for a brand partner
  • 2026
    Public activations in Montreal, Paris, and beyond…
    Ongoing discussions around new cultural mediation workshops and exploration of interactive installations.

Where can people follow your work?