The stunning projections were produced using six large format projectors fitted with single scrollers, manufactured and supplied by PANI/Hardware Xenon. These were supplemented by lighting from four Robe Robin DLS profiles and a single Robin MMX WashBeam, all sourced from Dortmund based Niclen.
Casa Magica's Sabine Weissinger and Friedrich Foerster won a competition to present a dynamic projection and visuals show in the space, in which they first worked in 2004 - also the first time the Cathedral had experienced such an installation.
For the Eucharistic Congress, the drama and ethereal nature of projected light again filled the space, highlighting the magnificent Gothic architecture and the presence and role of light in religious symbolism.
The evening show took the form of an hour long artwork combining the projections, lighting, a-capella singing, organ music and the spoken word.
The projectors were positioned symmetrically, four around the transept and two at the start of the long central nave in the west. Fitted with special wide-angle lenses, the field of projection covered all the structures on both horizontal and vertical planes.
"Support lighting was absolutely crucial to the look and feel of the work and to fill in some of the areas around the projections," explains Sabine Weissinger.
A couple of months earlier she had contacted Robe's sales director Harry von den Stemmen and asked if he could recommend a rental partner to supply the lights.
The four Robin DLS Profiles were located at the edges of the main altar platform in the transept, while the MMX WashBeam was at the far end of the choir.
Robe fixtures were chosen for their small size and light weight and because they wanted truly multi-functional luminaires. The requirement was to keep the technical installation as unobtrusive and concealed as possible so as to fuse with the surroundings.
(Jim Evans)
