LONDON – Czech technical solutions Provider AV Media provided Robe moving lights and Anolis LED fixtures for the Czech House Pavilion at the Summer Olympics. With no air conditioning and summer temps in full bloom, low-emitting heat sources were needed for the venue, and the fixtures selected fit the bill, with the entire rig using only around 180 kW of power.
More details from Robe (http://www.robe.cz):
LONDON – Czech technical solutions Provider AV Media invested in a substantial amount of new Robe moving lights and Anolis LED fixtures which is installed at the ‘Czech House’ Pavilion a base for all sports fans and supporters of the Czech National Team during the London Olympics.
The Czech house has taken over the entire Business Design Center building in Islington.
Czech National TV’s Olympic broadcast studio is located there, and the Pavilion features screens for the public to enjoy Olympic action, together with food, drinks, chess, streetball, art, Czech Team merchandising and other cultural offerings including a stage for live bands, DJs and other entertainment, with sociability high on the agenda.
AV Media’s Project Manager Filip Klein says when they won the contract to coordinate all the technicals for the Czech House, it was a ‘no brainer’ that they would specify lighting from the Czech Republic’s best known entertainment technology manufacturer.
Apart from this, with no air conditioning in the venue, it was essential to use low heat emitting light sources to keep the room at comfortable temperatures. The English summer finally arrived in time for the Games.
AV Media also already has Robe products in its inventory. “We like Robe not just because it’s Czech, but because it’s reliable and really excellent quality kit,” Klein says. With the Czech House running for 14 hours a day, the kit was worked extremely hard for the two week installation.
The new purchases include a selection of Robe’s latest ROBIN series products: 20 ROBIN 1200 LEDWash and 40 ROBIN 600 LEDWash, 6 MMX Spots and 8 ROBIN 600E Beams. These are used with AV Media’s existing ColorSpot and Wash 700E AT fixtures and ColorSpot 2500E ATs.
In addition, five curved set pieces divide up the space into separate areas – and like the Czech Team clothing designs, inspired by the work of artist Frantisek Kupka – are illuminated with a variety of internally mounted Anolis LED fixtures.
These are a mix of 60 Anolis ArcLine 80MC soft whites and ArcLine Outdoor optic 80 MCs.
The environmental lighting is further enhanced with Robe CitySkape Xtremes and CityFlex 48s positioned all around the space.
The majority of the moving lights are hung on a series of trusses installed in the roof of the Business Design Center, and used to light the various areas, all controlled via two grandMA2 consoles.
The entire rig pulls about 180 Kw of power.
“Apart from the low power consumption and minimal heat emissions, the Robe and Anolis rig gives all the flexibility needed to light the different areas for a variety of events and functions throughout the period,” Klein says.
The supply was coordinated for Robe and Anolis by Petr Kolmacka, who says, “We are proud to be involved with the Czech House and supporting our Olympic team. AV Media have delivered an amazing job of ensuring the space looks visually interesting and funky.”
Czech House attracts up to 4,000 visitors a day to enjoy the hospitality and good vibes as well as to cheer on the Czech team.
Apart from all the activities inside the Czech House, outside, controversial Czech sculptor David Cerny’s “London Booster” installation – a genuine 1957 London bus fitted with mechanical arms allowing it to do push ups – has attracted massive attention and really captured the public imagination.
Associated Press journalist Jill Lawless was certainly impressed in her review of Olympic Houses, saying “So far the gold medal goes to the Czech House…for transforming a conference venue in north London…into a giant party playpen.”
