White Light's manifest included: seven Vari-Lite VL3000s with Condome protective domes, three High Ground searchlights, five Citycolour2500 exterior floodlights, 200 PAR64s, an assortment of ETC Source Fours, two Robert Juliat Korrigans and two Super Korrigans, as well as 40 sq.m of ColorWeb 250 LED lighting and 48 Encapsulites. Control included three WL Smart 48 dimmer/power racks, two Avo Pearl consoles and two ELC Showstores, plus stands, cables and an assortment of accessories to allow lights to be located just about anywhere they are required.
The equipment was used across a range of sites, including Blyth town centre for the Blyth in a New Light festival, the Electric Forest at Cragside, Voices at Warkworth Castle and Stone at Walltown (Hadrian's Wall) on 1 December. After the main events were concluded, there was also a variety of unscheduled, surprise 'guerrilla lighting' schemes - a vanload of equipment accompanied by a Land Rover towing a biodiesel generator, set up discretely during the afternoon to bring other landmarks to life for one night only.
"Northumberland Lights is a remarkable project," notes Jack Thompson. "How many other events do you know where thousands of people travel through dark winter nights just to see lighting in action? It's very gratifying! For 2007, we took the lessons we learnt the previous year, showing off the repeat locations to even better effect and expanding what we do to some fascinating new places."
"We were pleased to be working once again with Jack Thompson and the White Light team," notes Zoe Bottrell of Culture Creative, project manager for Northumberland Lights. "Their technical expertise played a significant role in the success of last year's Northumberland Lights festival, which attracted large audiences and won a regional award for Best Event in Northumberland. Our continued collaboration is a result of the commendable work they have already done for us, and we look forward to delivering more world-class events with White Light in the future."
Funded by One NorthEast, Northumberland Strategic Partnership and Arts Council England, North East, Northumberland Lights also includes collaborations from a range of other artists, including The World Famous fireworkers, sculpture artist Graeme Gilmour, 20,000 Voices, A Bit Crack, John Kenny and Chris Wheeler.
(Jim Evans)
