Scharff Weisberg Pro Audio and Staging in New York is supplying production for the event, using two Catalyst systems with orbital heads on two projectors, controlled by the Flying Pig Systems Wholehog II lighting console. The Catalyst system blends moving light technology with graphics projection technology: when fitted with the optional orbital head, images can be projected anywhere in three-dimensional space. The system can be run on most programmable lighting consoles.
The show started 19 November and runs through to the 31 December, with showings every 15 minutes from 11am to 9pm on the ceiling of the Grand Central concourse in the historic Manhattan landmark. The six, three-minute video projection shows reflect artists' interpretations of the meaning of the holidays. The video art, curated by the public arts presenter Creative Time, showcases original work from a number of emerging artists. Lighting director/programmer Laura Frank met with each artist four times over two weeks so they could go over ideas, and spent a total of six hours programming each artist’s show.
Among all the visuals, several stand out as being totally Catalyst dependent, as Frank expands. "The migrating birds sequence was the most unique and extensive use of what the Catalyst can do. The animation artists handed me actual trajectories - or flight paths - that they wanted the doves to follow. They really thought about how to use the Catalyst features in this." Another visual focuses on a custodian sweeping up stardust from constellations on the ceiling. "The sweeper walks across the ceiling, and a burst happens under the broom when he hits a star," she says. Other visuals were more abstract and were simply "playing in space."
Frank has worked with Catalyst before, but its new keystone correction feature was a first for her. Keystone correction ensures that the image will remain undistorted throughout the range of mirror movement. "I'm impressed with the keystoning feature, how it was thought through, and how easy it was to use," she says.
(Ruth Rossington)
