Blinding Light invested in a new Litec trussing system for the ice rink project, which was supplied by AC Lighting. With it they built a 32 x 32m box truss on a 7m high, eight-legged ground support system to surround the 30 x 30m ice rink. The rink is installed at the O2 for four months, taking advantage of the huge popularity of ice skating during the winter months.
Blinding Light's Patrick Stacey designed the rig for the ice. It had to be dynamic and flexible, and account for the fact that the rink is effectively operating in a daylight zone of the O2 for the majority of its opening hours, which still see the environment benefit enormously from being lit. "I looked at texturing and subtle colouring effects for the daytime sessions" explains Stacey. "These really brighten up the ice, adding warmth and atmosphere to what can sometimes become a bit of a cold, flat environment. Obviously as darkness falls, the lighting effects become increasingly bold and dramatic."
There are approximately 80 generic lights on the rig, a mixture of chrome PARs, plus 30 intelligent fixtures that include Studio Due colour wash units and Martin Professional moving lights - Blinding Light has also just become a preferred Martin dealer.
These are joined by 60 mirror balls of various sizes. All lighting is controlled by an Avolites Pearl 2004 console and all the chases and effects for the disco shows are triggered by sound-to-light inputs.
Blinding Light has also supplied lighting and power distribution to a series of conferences and special events staged in assorted venues and the O2 including Indigo, New Orleans and the London Piazza. These have included the Rugby World Cup Finals and semi Finals for which they supplied both interior and exterior lighting.
(Jim Evans)
