The festival features a rich international programme of music and arts events including a spectacular 3D illumination of the Sydney Opera House and an outdoor exhibition of interactive light sculptures.
This year also saw the launch of Skyscraper Illuminati, a theatrical transformation of Sydney's Circular Quay, in which the district's large facades are brought to life each night with choreographed light shows that play throughout the evening.
Behind the illuminations was Sydney-based 32 Hundred, one of Australia's most innovative event lighting and audio companies.
When 32 Hundred's managing director Iain Reed discovered that his company had won the tender to design, install and operate the production, he knew he had the right fixture necessary for such high-power projections - the Clay Paky Alpha Profile 1500.
"The Vivid Festival and the Clay Paky Alpha Profile 1500 were the perfect match," Reed declared. "They are very, very, very bright and I'm extremely happy with them. Their sheer intensity is brilliant and the classic Clay Paky eye for detail with the optics is amazing. I love the auto focus, vast colour mixing, gobo selection - really they are the Ferrari of moving lights."
For Skyscraper Illuminati the Clay Paky Alpha Profile 1500 fixtures were supported by 44 LED fixtures used to wash three prominent city landmarks: the AMP building, the Four Seasons Hotel and the Marriott Hotel. While the LEDs provide a general wash of colour, the Alpha 1500 fixtures provide texture and movement. Each of the 12 Alpha Profile 1500 fixtures is housed in a custom-made Perspex housing, designed and constructed by 32 Hundred Lighting.
(Jim Evans)
