The keynote speaker for the multi-day event was Academy Award winning actress and lifestyle maven of GOOP Gwenyth Paltrow. Bandit Lites provided the lighting package for the horticultural happening with Chris Lisle Lighting Design.
Using an array of par cans and lekos with varying lenses, associate designer Erik Parker worked with vendors to learn what aspects of their gardens to enrich with illumination.
"Often the gardeners would have a piece that they would like to stand out, or a vibe that they were going for in their garden, but otherwise very little direction was given," said Parker. "We would walk up to each garden and figure out how we can accent what they have done with focus and gel colours of the fixtures."
Using thoughtful planning, Chris Lisle and Erik Parker executed exceptional static looks that blended in with the surroundings while still giving unique appearances to the gardens, unlike the more flashy looks for affairs featuring musical performances or presentations.
"With an event like this you will create one look that enhances the gardens and that will be what is on for the duration of the show," explained Parker. "Your main focus is to give the gardens an extra 'pop' as opposed to making the lights noticeable." Parker praised his experience with Bandit, citing the ease of load in and load out with Bandit Lites' techs Chas Albea and Carter Harris navigating the convention centre's distinctive rigging and cable paths with professionalism and expertise.
(Jim Evans)
