More details from Sew What? Inc. (www.sewwhatinc.com):
“After years of multi-media stage design incorporating video monitors, lasers and other high-tech equipment, production designers and art directors are rediscovering the power of fine art imagery to enhance the creativity of the artists and their music,” says Shane Nelson, in-house art director for Sew What?
Among the innovative design technologies that Sew What? offers is invisible UV imagery. Special UV paint, available in a full range of colors, is applied by hand to create images that become visible to the audience only under ultra-violet light. These images can be used alone or applied on top of another design, allowing the production crew to introduce or change the image behind the band with just a quick change of stage lighting.
Consider the UV imagery and effects in recent band stage designs by Sew What?. For the Zac Brown Band’s recent tour, Sew What? made a white cyclorama that under UV light revealed a full-color image of the stunning Day of the Dead-inspired cover of the band’s album “Uncaged.” The backdrop for the Sublime with Rome tour featured the face of a woman with overlaid UV elements; under UV light the woman appeared to “open” her eyes. Little Big Town’s backdrop featured two artistic patterns, one in UV paint, which allowed the band to change backgrounds during the show.
Nelson has more than 30 years of experience in art direction and production design, having designed for film, amusement parks, rock videos, television, and premier special events. At Sew What? he leads a talented team of painters, printers and designers. “We know how to work with bands and their designers,” says Nelson. “We speak their language and can make their ideas come alive as beautiful, finished draperies that can withstand the rigors of heavy touring.”
For more information and images of recent stage drapery projects for The Zac Brown Band and others, visit the Sew What? channel at YouTube (www.youtube.com/user/sewwhatinc).
