YARN at Bolton's “Put Big Light On” Festival

Bolton Town Hall, Bolton

Creative studio Novak approached Graymatter Video to provide the technical design and system delivery for YARN, a stunning large-scale projection artwork set to illuminate Bolton’s iconic Town Hall in December 2024. Featuring original music by Ed Carter, YARN was conceived as a captivating audiovisual experience, transforming the Town Hall façade into a moving tapestry of vibrant colour, dynamic motion, and immersive sound.



The installation was commissioned as part of the “Put Big Light On” Festival, honouring Bolton’s rich journey from a modest rural market town to a pivotal force in the Industrial Revolution. Through vivid animations and powerful storytelling, YARN celebrated the town’s renowned mill production, visionary designers, historic landmarks, and modern role as Greater Manchester’s Town of Culture.

The Challenge: Tackling Scale and Complexity

The Town Hall’s vast façade (50m wide, 61m high), dark stone surface, and detailed architecture, including towering portico pillars and a prominent clock tower, posed major challenges. Achieving the creative vision required 150–180 LUX brightness, perfect projection across three building sides, and seamless integration of the staircase, all while avoiding shadows and maintaining flawless clarity.

The Solution: Precision-Delivered LED Technology

We delivered a robust system using ten Panasonic RQ35k and four RZ21k projectors, paired with our disguise GX 3 media servers and advanced 3D mapping to handle the complex structure. A network of Lightware HDMI fibre extenders and a 24 x 24 matrix ensured synchronised, high-bandwidth delivery. For audio, we installed a d&b Audio Y series line array, delivering Ed Carter’s score with immersive clarity. Five custom weatherproof towers secured the installation and provided optimal projection angles.


The result was a breathtaking fusion of light, sound, and storytelling. YARN captivated thousands of visitors, transforming Bolton Town Hall into a mesmerising visual and audio experience that celebrated the town’s industrial roots, cultural icons, and creative future. Our expert technical delivery ensured Novak’s artistic vision came to life, proving the power of collaboration between creativity and precision engineering.

Equipment used:

  • 10x Panasonic RQ35k Projectors
  • 4x Panasonic RZ21k Projectors
  • disguise GX 3 Media Servers
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