Spheriscans deliver at Edinburgh's Hogmanay
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Project manager James Gow from Black Light worked alongside lighting designer Grant Anderson and production manager of the torchlight procession John Robb, to create a lighting plan that offered maximum impact and versatility for the event.
Gow explains: "We chose to use the Claypaky Spheriscan thanks to its 360-degree pan with an IP54 rating, which makes it a unique fixture on the market. With no need to add extra weather proofing, the unit has a sleek and discreet design."
One Spheriscan was placed between each of the eight front columns of The National Monument of Scotland. The remaining two were positioned in front of the monument where the fixtures bright beams and inbuilt gobos provided texture and illuminated the stone - making it prominent against the night sky.
"A key requirement for this event was 'in air effects'," explains Gow. "The Spheriscans offered us fast moving, strong beams of light that were captured perfectly by the smoke given off from the event's bonfire, fireworks and flames from the torches."
The National Monument of Scotland came to life as the static lighting progressed to a sequence of fast-moving effects during the event's firework display. The Spheriscans transformed the structure into an ever-changing multi-coloured launch pad for the fireworks, with their high-intensity beams adding depth to the negative space between the monument's columns.
"Black Light chooses to stock Claypaky as we are always aiming to stay on top of the market, bringing high-end lighting products to our clients and to Scotland," concludes Gow.
The torchlight procession took place on 30 December 2016, beginning in Edinburgh Old Town and concluding half a mile away at Calton Hill. The procession was attended by more than 40,000 people carrying torches to create a 'river of fire' running through the city. A percentage from each torch sale was donated to UNICEF.
(Jim Evans)
