The overall OC event lasted two days with over 1000 artists performing in 70 different locations in and around the city. The Cathedral - the largest in Slovakia - was lit for the entire time, providing a jaw-dropping backdrop for the finale of the OC.
The idea of illuminating elements of the Cathedral first came from Branislav Bernár from Showmedia, the company commissioned to produce the OC. They in turn approached Anolis's Czech based Brand Manager, Petr Kolma?ka to assist in developing the concept.
Kolma?ka took these initial ideas and augmented them with plans to highlight the whole Cathedral exterior in a 'monumental' energy efficient LED scheme.
"I knew this was an opportunity to illuminate a unique building and illustrate exactly what can be achieved by using modern LED technology on beautiful historic architecture," he comments.
The plans were approved by Branislav Bernár, Showtime's creative director Lum?r Mati, and Petr Kolma?ka created the lighting scheme using 18 x City Scape Xtreme Wireless fixtures with 9 degree lenses, six Anolis ArcPad Xtremes with a mixture of 9 and 22 degree lenses, 18 x Robe CitySource 96 Integrals, six Robe CitySkape 48s, 32 lengths of Anolis ArcLine Outdoor Optic 80 MC/SW 27° and eight Anolis ArcPower 384 rack-mount of Robe RUNIT WTX wireless data.
Half the fixtures were run via Lumen Radio wireless DMX to reduce cabling and the time needed for setup.
The church - with its origins dating back to 1230 - is over 200sq.m in size and can accommodate 5000 people. It is located right in the heart of the City's main street, dominating the vista.
Its larger surfaces were lit with the ArcPad Xtremes, while the individual columns and detailed High Gothic features were picked out using the CitySkape 96s. The areas between the columns were highlighted with the ArcLine 80 MC/SWs, and the roof was also shaded with the same ArcLine fixtures because in addition to offering smooth RGBW colour mixing, there are also an excellent range of proper whites ranging in colour temperature from 2700 - 8000K.
The lights were all programmed and run using a grandMA2 light console.
Time was a big challenge with only three weeks between the scheme being fully confirmed and needing to be realised, so Kolma?ka energised the services of two companies - Q-99 from Bratislava, Slovakia and AV Media from Prague in the Czech Republic - in a cross rental agreement to provide the kit.
The OC was broadcast live by national broadcaster RTVS and the Cathedral lighting was enjoyed by approximately 60,000 people who flocked into Koice over the weekend event, including the Slovakian President, Ivan Gaparovi?, and a host of other politicians, dignitaries and VIPs.
(Jim Evans)
