Lighting control is handled by two separate artnet systems, one for the LED facade and one for the rest of the Pavilion's lighting. The LED facade is controlled via a project-built media server developed by Aarhus University's Centre for Advanced Visualization and Interaction (CAVI, Denmark). The CAVI media server controls the look of the facade by triggering timings using sensors mounted around the building.
The non-facade lighting areas are quite substantial however. There are 25 other areas of the Danish Pavilion which are illuminated and controlled individually - a social bench, bike ramp, Mermaid Bar, shop, and storytelling boxes to name a few, but most notably Denmark's iconic The Little Mermaid.
Virtually every area of the Danish Pavilion incorporates energy-efficient LED light sources and the entire system (more than 20000 DMX channels on 45 DMX universes) is run from a single touchscreen MaxModule Cerebrum lighting controller with a second Cerebrum available as a backup with an auto-switching system. The MaxModule Cerebrum is a compact and powerful touchscreen computer that has proved exceptionally stable over the first four months of the Expo. The MaxModule Cerebrum triggers looks from the sensors through the CAVI media server.
All lighting is controlled locally and, if needed, the complete system can be monitored remotely via a secure vpn connection from half way around the world at Martin's Danish headquarters or a nearby location. Even complete resets, troubleshooting and any software upgrades are handled remotely and control can even be done from an iPad. The MaxModule Cerebrum was programmed by Martin's Johan Colméus. Facade programming was completed by CAVI.
Martin's iPhone MAXRemote, which allows for remote control of lighting devices straight from an iPhone, iPod or iPad, is used to walk around the Pavilion and make adjustments. Lighting for weekly concerts can even be handled via a webpage or iPhone.
Additionally, there are eight Martin Ether2DMX8 boxes used (one spare) to handle the large number of DMX channels. The DMX router translates Artnet protocol into DMX in/out universes but can also be used as a DMX merger, DMX splitter hub, fail safe device, cue playback, and DMX viewer monitor. The Martin MaxNet architecture combined with the Ether2DMX8 boxes has allowed for thousands of dollars in savings compared to traditional console networking with expensive DMX processor nodes.
Martin Professional and CAVI, in collaboration with Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) architects, have designed, developed and installed the dynamic façade and auxiliary areas for the Danish Pavilion.
Martin control systems can be found at other pavilions around Expo including the Polish Pavilion where a Martin Maxxyz Compact, supplied by Flashlight and programmed by Tibbe Warnier, is used to control an automated light show.
(Jim Evans)
