Paul James, editor of Mondo Arc, told me: "We've had very positive feedback with everyone appreciating what we're trying to do. We realize that, for some people, there were a lot of LED companies as a proportion of the overall exhibitors, but for the inaugural year we are absolutely delighted with the visitor figures, which were above our target. With the feedback we are getting from current exhibitors and companies who are eager to come on board, we are confident that Arc '06 will grow as we forecast."
So what was interesting and different about this show? Of note were those companies that have developed focused applications for their technology - particularly in the LED domain. Of course there was the familiar gamut of white walls washed with saturated colours; however, there was also a sprinkling of applications that were truly inspiring.
Companies such as Workplace Art displayed some fascinating LED light boxes, created by light artist Jeremy Lord, which used shadow and colour to create mesmerizing, constantly morphing pieces of art.
Co- founder and marketing director, Chris Barlow explained: "We felt that this was an ideal opportunity to show the work of amongst others, Jeremy Lord whose beautiful lightboxes are a major feature of our stand. We have been interested for some years in the convergence of art, architecture and technology."
Another interesting development in the LED world is the Color Kinetics IntelliWhite series which features innovations such as variable colour temperature (offering cool to warm gradients of white light from a single fixture) and the ability to dim with standard dimmers without altering colour temperature.
Optiled has also developed and expanded its LED products, including its HIVE S-7 prototype, launched at the show. The HIVE (High Intensity Vorticular Enclosure) module delivers three times as much light as a typical high-power LED. Using a hexagonal slot-in design, each module passes data and power to the others in its optical array and can be built to any size and shape. The company also showed the S11 pseudo-filament lamp which can replace incandescent S11 glass bulbs.
Tryka was optimally positioned at the front of the hall, and reported plenty of interest in its diverse range of LED products. Sabrina Marenghi told me: "It's been a great show and we are very pleased with the quality of visitor and the kinds of leads we are getting."
New company Anolis, a collaboration between Robe Show Lighting of the Czech Republic and ULA of Australia, was officially launched at Arc. The launch was complete with a whole range of new LED lighting fixtures aimed at applications in architectural, retail, transport, leisure and entertainment markets.
Pulsar's Jon Petts was very upbeat and positive about the show. The company was showing 17 newly designed MR16 sized LED fixtures plus its ChromaBatten 200 and its ChromaFlood 200 both of which are IP65-rated, take power direct from 100-240V and have full remote DMX control of RGB levels. Also on show were interchangeable lens attachments for the ChromaFlood.
Fibre optics also featured heavily. Having taken something of a back seat since the evolution of LED effects, fibre optics have, however, come a long way in a relatively short time; plastic fibre is now considerably more light efficient, optics at both ends of the fibres have improved hugely, lightsources are now more varied and the achievable effects more dramatic. Imaginative displays by companies such as Absolute Action, designers of fibre optic lighting, begged attention. Technical director Sam Sharif said the company has been working with artist Alexander Beleschenk
