This year's event, both bigger and brighter than last year's, included self-guided tours of an expanded area of the zoo, featuring all-new LED lights, lasers, 3D projections and a musical water-and-light display. L.A. Zoo Lights is produced in collaboration with theatrical set designer Gregg Lacy and Bionic League, a production design company known for innovative, large-scale events and stage credits that include Daft Punk, Deadmau5 and Kanye West.
Martin Phillips, co-founder of Bionic League, has used Martin products for 25 years. For this design, he decided on four MAC Quantum Profiles and four MAC Quantum Washes. Phillips appreciates that the Martin LED fixtures are not a significant power draw, given the L.A. Zoo's limited supply. In addition, the choice of Martin LED lights simplifies the operation of the display. "Most lights require the lamp to be doused and then cooled down for several minutes to prolong lamp life before the fixture shuts down," Phillips said. "The Martin LED fixtures don't, which makes my job much easier."
Phillips needed the Martin fixtures to complement, rather than overpower, the water show and loves the understated colour effects of the Martin MAC Quantum Profile. "We focused the MAC Quantum Profiles on the water jets, which turned out great," Phillips said. "I really like the abstract looks we get from the gobos. Instead of a specific effect, like a 'teapot' or a 'gorilla' image, the gobos are less overtly graphic, but give us a great range of texture and movement, which really works well for the water show."
While the MAC Quantum Profiles light the jets, the MAC Quantum Washes light up the exhibit between shows, providing a rich colour palette and a rotating front lens, which provides stunning projection effects.
Phillips said that he would like to expand the light show next year to other parts of the zoo. "We've grown L.A. Zoo Lights each of the past two years," he said. "Next year, in addition to the water show, we would love to light up the trees and foliage that surround the zoo. I know that the Martin LED fixtures give me innovative looks, are easy to program and, most importantly, work when I need them to. It gives me confidence to know that in planning this continuously expanding event, I am working with industry-leading fixtures."
(LSi Online)
