The LG Arts Center SEOUL is the new landmark of contemporary performing art which was recently relocated to Gangseo-gu of Seoul, the western part of the capital of Korea. The Center is the first venue in Asia to install the signature Eos Apex console. The venue also includes additional ETC products to provide best-in-class lighting solutions for the modern art centre. Products include Source Four LED Series 3 with XDLT lens tubes, Paradigm control and touchscreen stations, BluesSystem, and more.
With a total floor area of 40,000 m2, the leading cultural hub was designed by the world-famous Japanese architect Tadao Ando and successfully achieves the architectural philosophy of blending nature into architecture. There are two performance venues in the Center; one of them is the LG SIGNATURE Hall, which has a capacity of 1,335 seats, and U+ Stage, which is a transformable black box theatre capable of accommodating up to 365.
After several fruitful conversations and product demonstrations organized by ETC dealer C&C Lightway, the Center selected two Eos Apex 10 consoles with 24K outputs and an Eos Apex Processor for the LG SIGNATURE Hall, working as the main and backup control system of the performance. “Eos Apex is perfect for a full control system; it is powerful and reliable enabling my team to work confidently for every show,” the representative of LG Arts Center SEOUL commented.
Ten sets of Source Four LED Series 3 fixtures are installed for front lighting. The top-of-the-line Lustr X8 array brings nuanced color without sacrificing brightness which generates a perfect skin tone for full orchestra, operas, musicals, concerts, theatre, and ballet performances. “We paired XDLT lens tubes with Series 3 – they are perfect for our large performance hall making lighting up the stage from the farthest distances a piece of cake!” the lighting director of LG Arts Center SEOUL added. The crisp gobo projection and reduced light leak also impressed the client.
The Center not only emphasizes professional and high-quality lighting at the front stage but also backstage. TP (Theatre Projects) recommended BluesSystem which provides a set of dimmable blue running lights for the dark area in the halls. The award-winning line of low-voltage LEDs provides safe illumination during live productions. Besides, Irideon with Zoom lens and framing shutter features are installed in a technical gallery of the stage side area, a follow-spot room, and a control room, they can enhance the ambiance in the rooms with a theatre feel.
The client was looking for a comprehensive control system that would manage not only general lighting fixtures but also the house lighting in the audience seating area. C&C Lightway understood the challenge and proposed ETC’s Paradigm architectural control system with 7” Touchscreen stations installed on the sides of the stage. Users can set up “preset modes” with different combinations of lighting fixtures to accommodate various situations in the theatre. The Touchscreen station brings elegant and compact control in a customizable, intuitive interface.
Sensor3 Dimming is the sophisticated power control system proposed by C&C Lightway. Paired with the ThruPower Module, it powers up all of the lighting in the Center from conventional Source Four fixtures, and LED luminaires, to automated fixtures that generate stunning lighting effects for this world-class stage.
With the use of Response Mk2 DMX Gateways and the Response Opto-Splitters, all products in the ETC lighting ecosystem are connected in a single Ethernet network which enables seamless and reliable communication when managing all of the equipment from an integrated data distribution network.
The LG Arts Center SEOUL is operated by the LG Yonam Cultural Foundation with financial support from the LG Group. The Center is the pioneer in promoting art and culture by presenting world-class performances, ranging from classical and traditional music to popular music, ballet, musicals, and plays.
ETC launched a new family of multi-venue fixtures. Building on the popular ColorSource line that is lighting schools, houses of worship, hotels, and theme parks around the world, ETC announced ColorSource V. This trio of fixtures includes ColorSource Spot V, ColorSource Fresnel V, and ColorSource Spot VXT.
The roman numeral “V” in ColorSource V hints at the five-color array of red, green, blue, indigo, and lime. This combination of emitters makes it possible to produce the softest pastels and bold, punchy colors from the same fixture. In addition to the array, all ColorSource V fixtures include Multiverse® wireless DMX/RDM, NFC for remote fixture configuration when used in collaboration with ETC’s free Set Light app, and increased brightness from the past ColorSource line.
ColorSource Spot V is shipping now and takes the place of the previous ColorSource Spot luminaire. Just like with Spot, ColorSource Spot V uses the same lens tubes, barrels, and accessories as ETC’s other spot fixtures, including the iconic Source Four incandescent fixture. If you have ETC’s CYC or Fresnel adapters in your inventory, Spot V works with those as well.
ColorSource Fresnel V delivers the technology of ETC’s premier Desire Fresnel fixture at an accessible price point. Incorporating a true microFresnel lens and motorized 13-44 degree zoom control both via DMX and manually from the back of the fixture from both the back of the fixture, Fresnel V is truly a workhorse for every theatre. ColorSource Fresnel V is expected to begin shipping in January of 2023.
ColorSource Spot VXT is the outdoor fixture you’ve been waiting for. With impressive brightness, and the same color mixing technology as the other ColorSource fixtures, this IP65-rated fixture brings the drama to your outdoor spaces. The same wireless feature set streamlines setup and configuration, but the best part is, VXT also utilizes the same lens tubes, barrels, and accessories as your other ETC spot fixtures.
ETC will begin taking orders for ColorSource Spot VXT in early 2023, and it is scheduled to begin shipping in late Q1, 2023.
Find out more about the Colorsource V family HERE.
Introducing High End Systems Halcyon, the next generation of automated framing luminaires from ETC. Created to meet the needs of rental operations, theatres, and opera houses, Halcyon is a family of framing fixtures designed for the exacting demands of lighting production. Offering reduced cost, reduced weight, and increased output, Halcyon fixtures are each best in class and engineered to fit into every spec for every design.
High End Systems Halcyon
Offering matching feature sets and performance across all fixtures, the Halcyon range consists of Gold, Titanium, and Platinum. Halcyon Gold outputs 31,000 lumens and is ideal for short to medium-throw applications. Designed for medium to long throws, Titanium outputs 40,000 lumens. And for the most extreme light at the farthest distances, Platinum offers unprecedented light output at 55,000 lumens, with an incredible 75,000 lumens in boost mode. With a new industrial design, each Halcyon fixture is smooth and sleek enough to blend into your rig.
Halcyon has two LED engine options for maximum versatility. The e Halcyon’s color mixing system uses tighter, next-gen gradient dichroics and a linear mixing curve supported by ETC’s renowned color science for smooth and even colors, both in and out of focus.
With full curtain framing on four focus planes and extended framing rotation, Halcyon provides all the tools to perfectly shape every show. A new, custom-selected package of patterns brings a full library of aerials, rotational effects, breakups, diffusion, and prisms. ETC’s Trifusion system brings a wide range of diffusion with a single control channel, maintaining maximum output and even frost distribution across the field, and a smooth transition from a sharp edge all the way to a heavy wash. A continuously variable rotating animation wheel with linear insertion allows programmers to now control the animation’s angular position. Patented Whisper Home technology employs a dual sensor system, allowing Halcyon fixtures to home with little movement, while also being quiet, fast, and precise. Halcyon is backed by ETC’s industry-leading customer service and is competitively priced without sacrificing on features or performance.
Automated Lighting Product Manager Matt Stoner comments, “The High End Systems SolaFrame changed how people do things in our industry, and we are excited to continue the revolutionary product line in our new Halcyon products. Over years of customer feedback and fixture usage we have learned so much and the Halcyon family is the culmination of that feedback, and a leap forward in smaller, less expensive, lighter, and better performance.”
Market Manager Tania Lesage adds, “There are thousands of venues around the world looking for lights with sharp projection, a versatile gobo package, and lush color mixing; that is exactly what we bring with this new framing family. High End Systems Halcyon was created by our award winning automated design team with three decades of experience. If Halcyon piques your interest, come see us live at LDI, JTSE or MEET, or get in touch with your local dealer or rep for a demo.”
When executing a successful lighting design, the question of color is often considered near the end of the process, and in some ways, it seems to make sense. We first ask ourselves, what’s my budget? Which fixtures do I have? What are my hang positions? And then, finally, what color should those fixtures be? In this class replay from CUE 2022, Declan Randall, ETC Training Program Coordinator, challenges that idea. He’ll show you why if you care about light, you should care about color from the very first moment.
Color does not exist without light
We only see color because of light and how an object reflects that light to our eyes. So, it stands to reason that controlling that light is incredibly important. As a designer, you want to decide why you change light, how you change light, when you change light, and its native source. Your design success is ultimately tied to your level of light and color control. Choosing a fixture that gives you the options you need to control the light in a way that fits your needs is more important than ever. And having a console that works with your fixtures is equally important.
Since LED fixtures came on the market, we’ve started thinking about color differently. With LEDs, you start with nothing and build up, adding color and intensity as you go. The more of the spectrum you have available, the more you’re able to add, and the better your light will render on the objects you have – costumes, scenery, backdrops, etc. With LED fixtures, you are now able to manipulate color to a degree of precision that was never possible with gel. And that’s really exciting.
Fixtures and console control
If you were to connect the same lighting fixture to different manufacturers’ consoles and then select a standard color – Lee 201 or Rosco 58, for example, you’ll start to see how drastically control options vary. This is because some consoles are only capable of calculating color based on RGB values. They ignore any extra emitters because they’re not capable of processing the extra color information beyond an RGB array. With other consoles, spectral data and intensity are ignored. These variances in control make a big difference in how you’re able to reproduce color on your stage. Without even realizing it, you may be missing out on features that limit the performance of your fixtures and your design.
“If you care about light, then you must care about color too. And thanks to the selection of ETC consoles, these tools are available for everyone -not just Broadway and The West End.”
Start with white light
In this class, Declan will take you back to the beginning and talk about how white light is created. Using that same formula, he then dives into other colors and how each is created within different fixtures. You’ll quickly see that not only does the array matter, but how you control the array, matters too. The “color recipes” that make up light are called metamers. And while metamers are not new, the way we are able to control them is.
Watch the full session below to learn more about the benefits of changing metamers to improve your design.
Suzhou Bay Cultural Center is located at the shore of Lake Tai in Suzhou of China, and adjacent to the Taihu New Town CBD. It is one of the signature development projects initiated by the city through the Wujiang Lakefront Masterplan. The 215,000 square-meter center consists of two wings, the Suzhou Opera House on the north side, and Wujiang Exhibition Center on the south.
The two magnificent buildings are connected by a long rooftop ribbon-like arch. This huge ribbon waves and intertwines from the north wing to the south, forming a giant figure eight. With patterns of rotating geometry, this architectural feature is visible from afar. The ribbon represents the silk and water sleeves of the Kunqu Opera, and evokes the cultural richness of the city. It also serves as a bridge for pedestrians to enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Tai and the heart of Suzhou CBD. Suzhou Bay Cultural Center has symbolized successful economic and cultural development, marking a milestone for the city.
The north wing features an Opera House, a black-box theatre hall, rehearsal rooms, art space, cinemas, and restaurants. The Opera House is an international opera theatre which has a 1600-seat capacity. Different from the neatly arranged auditoriums of a traditional theatre, this Opera House adopts an asymmetrical design. The seating area on the upper deck is designed like several small petals stacked on top of each other. The petal-like auditorium is a unique and poetic design that brings the audiences a natural immersive and enjoyable experience. The theatre hall serves as a multi-function black-box theatre which has a capacity of 600 seats. The stage setting and auditorium will be specially arranged based on the requirement of each performance.
ETC gear including consoles, luminaires, dimmers, and networking systems are installed in the Opera House and theatre hall. Two Gio consoles with 24K outputs are installed in the Opera House, and two Gio @5 consoles with 4K outputs are used to control the lighting of the theatre hall. The venue owner was impressed by the powerful magic sheet functionality which makes managing the fixture layout, and control and programming of buttons, faders, colors, and gobos, easier. The magic sheets also provide flexibility for the user to adjust the control to fit the needs of a variety of performances.
To enjoy world-class power and dimming control, ETC’s Sensor3 ThruPower Dimmer and Relay modules are installed in the venues. These modules popular in the theatrical industry as they are famous for their reliability and stability for smoothly controlling the intensity of all types of fixtures. Using the Sensor3 ThruPower module enables users to switch freely between constant circuits, on/off switching with true air-gap relays, and dimming of the lighting loads.
Luminaries from ETC have been recognized as the standard lighting fixtures in the industry and are widely used in theatres. This is the reason that Suzhou Bay Cultural Center selected Source Four LED Series 2 and ColorSource Spot fixture with CYC adapters as the stage lighting of the Opera House and theatre hall. The lighting designer found Source Four LED Series 2 favorable as it brings high brightness from a variety of positions while having a low power consumption, thanks to the LED light engine. The lighting designer was also amazed by the rich and smooth wash of color brought by ColorSource which can enhance the moods of every scene.
To have a reliable data distribution for all lighting technology in the venue, Response Mk2 DMX Gateways from ETC are installed to securely connect the sACN network to the DMX runs. They are also interoperable as it meets the industry-standard protocols such as ANSI E1.31 (sACN) and ANSI E1.20 (RDM) using standard Ethernet cabling and infrastructure. Response Mk2 DMX Gateways once again impressed the venue owner as they offer a powerful, fast, and stable data distribution by the use of ETC’s network technology.
ETC was honored to be selected to offer a comprehensive range of lighting technology to Suzhou Bay Cultural Center and be part of the city’s cultural and artistic development journey.
Photo credit: Suzhou Bay Cultural Center and Hangzhou YiDaShi Technology Development Co., Ltd.
Any event at Inglewood’s SoFi stadium is likely to be upstaged by the venue itself. Along with the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl, SoFi stadium’s place in Southern California iconography is assured. Site of the Super Bowl LVI (sorry Bengals fans) seen by millions around the world, it is arguably the pinnacle of stadium design. The superlatives are in the numbers: 70,000 seat capacity, 302 FTE roof panels containing 28,000 LED “pucks,” a 360-degree infinity screen, and 25,000 miles of cabling all set in a grade 100 feet below ground level. Passengers flying into LAX can view games or concerts projected on to the 80-million-pixel roof. But no less impressive is the ETC control system that keeps it all running.
The Body of SoFi
“The end-users’ journey through the stadium had to be considered on both game and non-game days, with attention paid to enhance memorable views and ‘Instagrammable’ moments along the way,” says Stacie Dinwiddy, Associate Principal at KGM Architectural Lighting, who handled the indoor hospitality area lighting. “We found ourselves addressing new and unique challenges as we navigated to complete a project of this scale during an international pandemic and lockdown, for a building and program originally designed for mass gatherings and public displays of face and body paint.”
To enhance the experience and promote movement around the concourse, KGM worked closely with a custom manufacturer to design a ribbon-like LED feature pendant that could twist and glow like neon to reflect a meandering path throughout the entire concourse. Another integrated installation that was thoroughly engineered is within the entrance corridors leading to the Owner’s Club. The original design was a continuous linear line of light that went up one wall, across the ceiling, and down the opposite wall. “To shake up a popular detail, we opted to offset the lines at the wall to create a more dynamic effect through the corridor and allude to the laces on a football – a theme carried out in many areas on the project,” she added.
LAM Partners’ James Perry describes the task of lighting the exterior of the massive structure. “The field of play is certainly the primary focus of the project, but the overall stadium was envisioned as a living, organic form that could pulse with activity and motion from the field all the way out to the exterior skin of the building. The lighting design and controls were a part of the story-telling of the architecture and the NFL excitement within.”
Of the many firsts attributed to this project Perry notes, “The LED media mesh that is draped across the clear membrane roof canopy was a first as far as we know. The entire roof and fifth elevation of the building becomes a large video board. But the interesting design challenge was achieving this for the exterior view of the building without impacting the environment or event within the stadium bowl below. None of that lighting is visible when ‘on’ from within the seating bowl.”
The Brain of SoFi
Providing the often overlooked but critical component of control went to 4Wall Entertainment, who integrated all the ETC control elements which form the backbone of this impressive project. Buddy Pope and Brent Pritchett headed up the team that linked it all together. “Every single light that turns on and off we controlled via Paradigm – restrooms, locker rooms, offices, concourses, exterior lighting, and even the signage a few blocks away are controlled by ETC Paradigm,” says Pope.
On the entertainment side, Mosaic Show Controller X and an Eos console control the sports lighting and color-changing lights throughout the venue. No stranger to huge installations, Pope notes that “a big challenge was the sheer length of data and DMX runs – the equipment list is short but has big numbers.”
To comply with California Title 24 rules, over 1200 Paradigm occupancy sensors are everywhere, but the Paradigm system easily dealt with any customization. “We were able to tweak the Paradigm advanced controls to make overrides,” says Pope. “The lights never go out in the Rams’ locker room during a game, for example.”
Not surprisingly, the sequence of operations for the building was extensive and called out for specific looks. The Paradigm system stores not only game and concert modes building-wide, but campus-wide. A Mosaic controls all the signage on the campus, color changing and white light controls as well as a retail section that is under construction. Even the landscape lighting has its own distinct presets.
Not even the restraints of COVID protocols and supply chain holdups during the construction cycle, could hold up the creation of this truly remarkable addition to LA’s sport and cultural life.
