BLINK® illuminated by ArtsWave, in Cincinnati, Ohio is the nation’s largest public light and art event. Now in its fourth iteration, BLINK has become more than a gift to the city. It attracts artists from around the globe and welcomes over 2 million people who walk the city’s blocks in wonder and amazement. It crosses a river and connects the region.
4Wall Entertainment integral to realizing BLINK 2024
A key vendor of BLINK, 4Wall Entertainment successfully delivered comprehensive remote monitoring and control capabilities across the expansive BLINK Festival 2024 footprint, supporting uninterrupted experiences for record-breaking crowds. With installations spanning over 30+ city blocks from Over-the-Rhine and extending into Northern Kentucky, the logistical challenge of maintaining seamless connectivity was addressed through innovative networking solutions and collaboration.
Leveraging 30 Pepwave MaxTransit mobile routers, coupled with cameras and Bitfocus Companion control software, 4Wall enabled real-time remote access and management of playback and projection systems at each installation site anywhere via a secure VPN. This robust and cost-effective solution, achieved through a partnership with Data Activation Center (DAC), ensured each site operated smoothly throughout the four-day festival.
“The monitoring page, consisting of a Multiviewer for each show site, was created in Vertex and hosted as a webpage on the VPN,” explained 4Wall Director of Media Server Technology Alex Bright. “We chose Vertex, made by IOVersal, because we can rely on their team to quickly develop features for our unique projects on chaotic timelines.”
Beyond implementing these advanced systems, 4Wall collaborated closely with DAC to secure a reliable data plan tailored to BLINK’s network needs. “We designed this setup to grant remote control over all installations, aiming to enable our staff to kick off each day efficiently and sustain smooth operations through the night,” said Director of Video Engineering Ian Crawford. “Our collaboration with DAC proved invaluable, as they supported us in securing a reliable data plan and even hand-delivering replacement SIM cards on-site to quickly adapt to Cincinnati’s network environment. Their dedication helped keep our data costs manageable and maintained our readiness for any challenges.”
4Wall Entertainment’s expertise in supporting high-profile events played a crucial role in the success of BLINK, establishing a new standard for real-time monitoring at large-scale, multi-site festivals. Through adaptable technology and partnerships with companies like DAC, this innovative approach enhances connectivity and control for future events, allowing organizers to effectively manage extensive installations in any location.
CCM Lighting Students part of BLINK 2024
This year as part of the event a group of UC College-Conservatory of Music MFA Lighting Design and Technology students, with lead student designer Lucas Inman, created lighting for the Insane 51 mural. Inman worked with MFA student Nate Hedges, lighting project manager; BFA student Hayden Valkema, lighting programmer; and BFA student Flynn Wilson, lighting utility. CCM Professors Kevin Lawson and Sharon Huizinga served as faculty advisors. Read more about this project on the UC-CCM BLINK news.