Panasonic Projector & Display Americas powered “Smithsonian Dreams,” a large-scale landmark public art experience that transformed the Smithsonian Castle into an immersive, AI-driven visual experience on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. from July 17–18, 2026. Created by internationally acclaimed media artist Refik Anadol and presented by the Smithsonian, the two-night activation used a custom AI system trained on nearly two centuries of Smithsonian collections to project evolving digital artwork across the historic façade.
Through a combination of projection mapping, AI, sound, and Panasonic’s advanced projection technology, “Smithsonian Dreams” reimagined one of the nation’s most recognizable cultural landmarks as a living archive of human imagination, showcasing what’s possible when technology and human creativity work together.
Drawing from millions of digitized artifacts, manuscripts, photographs, scientific records, and artworks from the Smithsonian’s collections, Refik Anadol Studio’s custom AI system reinterpreted nearly two centuries of knowledge into a continuously evolving visual experience.
The installation came to life with 44 Panasonic PT-RQ45K Series 4K projectors, which offered the brightness, image quality, and color accuracy necessary to transform the Castle’s 145-foot structure into a monumental digital canvas. Given the scale of the project, projectors were positioned throughout the National Mall, including one installation point more than 700 feet from the Castle, highlighting both the complexity of the activation and the precision required to execute it.
“Smithsonian Dreams is a powerful example of what can happen when technology and creativity come together,” said Dan Meehan, Executive Strategic Account Manager, Panasonic Projector & Display Americas. “The Smithsonian is home to one of the world’s greatest collections of knowledge, and Refik’s vision provided an entirely new way to experience it. We’re proud that Panasonic’s projection technology could help bring that vision to life at such a monumental scale.”
The activation also carries special significance as part of the Smithsonian’s celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. The experience coincides with the reopening of the Smithsonian Castle following a significant renovation, offering visitors a new way to engage with a historic landmark while celebrating the future of creativity and innovation.
“What makes projects like this especially rewarding is that every visitor takes something different away from the experience,” Meehan said. “Some people connect with the history, others with the art, the innovation, or simply the visual spectacle. Our goal is to provide the technology that enables those moments of discovery and connection.”
The project also builds on Panasonic Projector & Display Americas’ history of collaboration with Refik Anadol. Their previous collaborations include WDCH Dreams at Walt Disney Concert Hall and installations at Frieze Los Angeles.
