SECAUCUS, N.J., March 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- VOOM PORTRAITS by ROBERT WILSON, a series of more than 30 high definition video portraits created by one of the most influential contemporary innovators in theater, art and design, recently began a world tour that will bring Wilson's creations to leading museums, galleries and public art spaces. For their critically- acclaimed launch at New York's renowned Phillips de Pury and Paula Cooper galleries, the HD portraits were "hung" on over 50 Panasonic professional high definition plasma displays. For the tour's second leg, now at the prestigious Ace Gallery Los Angeles through April 21, 2007, three 103" Panasonic high definition plasmas -- the largest available plasma displays in the world -- were added to the mix, lending new drama to the exhibition.

The high definition portraits, which run in infinite loops and feature individual soundtracks, capture celebrity subjects such as Brad Pitt, Winona Ryder, Johnny Depp, Monaco's HRH Princess Caroline of Hanover, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Robert Downey, Jr., Juliette Binoche, Isabelle Huppert, Isabella Rossellini, Steve Buscemi, Alan Cumming and Willam Dafoe. Subjects also include ordinary people, including an auto mechanic, and animals such as a snow owl, a black panther, a frog, and a porcupine. The three 103" plasmas are being used for the portraits of Pitt, legendary French actress Jeanne Moreau, and a tight close-up on the face of a Briard dog.

VOOM PORTRAITS by ROBERT WILSON is an ongoing project commissioned and produced by VOOM HD Networks. With 15 nationally-distributed channels in the U.S., and a growing number across the globe, VOOM is the world's largest producer of original HD programming in the arts, sports, music, animation, news, fashion and more. As part of the company's mission to explore the full potential of the new HD medium, VOOM invited Robert Wilson in 2004, to become an Artist in Residence. In addition to the tour, the portraits will be broadcast on VOOM's visual-arts channel, GALLERY HD, in fall 2007, along with a "making-of" documentary on Art In Progress, one of the channel's signature series.

Working with the Wilson team to mount the show, VOOM HD Networks purchased 32 1080p TH-65PF9UK 65" and 22 TH-42PH9UK 42" high definition Panasonic plasma displays to support VOOM PORTRAITS by ROBERT WILSON. According to Al Irizarry, Director of Production Services for VOOM's parent company Rainbow Media, "Plasma was always our only choice, and we chose Panasonic plasmas because our research showed they have the best image in the business -- a photorealistic picture with excellent black levels."

Says Robert Wilson, "I'm thrilled with the result. I have been working with video since the 1960s, but with Panasonic's high definition plasma displays, I am finally finding the saturation, vivid colors and images that I have imagined all along. These plasma displays match my vision -- they are just the right medium for this project."

He continues, "Beyond the technology, the design of the display is elegant and simple, and provides a perfectly proportioned frame to the image. I am very grateful for the help and support that Panasonic has given to this project, especially in providing their beautiful 103" Plasmas, which bring amazing new power to the portraits."

Panasonic Professional Plasmas Displays

From the industry's highest picture quality to the industry's most versatile application options, Panasonic professional plasmas offer seamless integration in virtually any AV, IT or interactive environment with an ultra- stylish design that looks great even when the panel is turned off. Only Panasonic offers the widest range of plasma sizes, from 37" to the world's largest available plasma panel at 103". For more information on Panasonic professional plasma displays and a listing of authorized dealers, visit our web site at http://www.panasonic.com/broadcast.

About Panasonic Broadcast

Panasonic Broadcast & Television Systems Co. is a leading supplier of broadcast and professional video products and systems. Panasonic Broadcast is a unit company of Panasonic Corporation of North America. The company is the North American headquarters of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. of Japan, and the hub of its U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations.

CONTACT: Stacy Moore of Panasonic Broadcast, +1-201-392-4458,
moorest@us.panasonic.com; or Pat Lamb of Patricia Lamb PR, +1-518-692-8150,
patalamb@aol.com; or Jeff Samuels of Panasonic, +1-201-392-4571,
samuelsj@us.panasonic.com

Web site: http://www.panasonic.com/
http://www.panasonic.com/broadcast