Jands Vista v2 Puts the Focus on World Wildlife Fund Campaign Launch

	Photo: David Biene

A Jands Vista I3 console, running the next generation Vista v2 software, was specified by installation artist and lighting designer Fred Pommerehn to control the lighting for a specially commissioned work on display as part of the World Wildlife Fund's "Deutschland wird Wald Meister 2011" (Year of the Forest) campaign in Berlin, Germany.

The Year of the Forest initiative is supported by prominent German celebrities, and the launch featured a media conference the day after the installation went live. The lit work became a local and international talking point, as well as a popular attraction enjoyed by press, public, and passers by alike.

The temporary installation -- which was in place on the steps of the Konzerthaus in Berlin's Gendarmenmarkt square --featured 26 tree sculptures measuring up to 19.5' in height, each carefully crafted by Pommerehn using recycled cardboard materials, and diligently lit for the darkness hours.

Pommerehn's set design, sculptural and installation work embraces many disciplines and frequently involves lighting as an integral element.

For the WWF event, Berlin-based Lichtblick Bühnentechnik supplied all the technical production, and also constructed the trees, project managed by Frederik Wehlmann.

Pommerehn has worked with the Lichtblick Bühnentechnik GmbH for several years and always specifies Jands Vista to control any lighting on his projects. He explains that there are many reasons for this, including the flexibility of the system and the speed at which he can achieve his aims, as he is often working on projects where the timeframe is a significant factor.

It was the first event on which Lichtblick Bühnentechnik had used the I3 running on the Vista v2 software.

"Using the Jands Vista allowed us to work very fast," says Pommerehn, "especially running with Vista v2. It really takes the complexity out of the process, and allows you to concentrate on getting creative visual results fast." He reckons that within 45 minutes, they had a polished and refined light show that added the exquisite twist of magic that he wanted. The light show was run in 15-minute loops to a soundtrack throughout the evening.

The trees were lit by about 100 fixtures in total, positioned at the sides of the steps for low level cross lighting, with a row along the top for backlighting. Three fog machines were also run through the Vista I3, operated manually as and when needed.

Lighting programmer Jonas Pruditsh, a keen Vista user since joining Lichtblick Bühnentechnik two years ago, loves the new v2 software platform. He particularly likes the new selection tools, and the powerful effects. "We had a very short time to program the show once on site," he explains, echoing Pommerehn's enthusiasm that by using Vista they were able to achieve all they wanted in under an hour.

Pommerehn and Jörg Schildbach (managing director) from Lichtblick Bühnentechnik first made a plan to collaborate on projects --technically and creatively -- about 15 years ago and have developed a very successful and innovative working relationship. "We are constantly discussing which kit to buy, and are delighted that we committed to Jands Vista."

From a rental perspective, Jands Vista is proving a great investment for Lichtblick Bühnentechnik. The company uses the Vista I3 on all its larger shows, it also has Vista M1s and various channel DMX dongles in its inventory to cover all the smaller options. Its work covers a broad spectrum, including exhibitions, corporate and special events, theatre productions, museum/heritage shows and public and live art.

Jands Europe's Neil Vann said "Fred is sure that using Jands Vista makes a difference to his creative process, and ultimately the success of the lighting in his work. It is unusual for a light artist to specify a control platform, often they don't particularly mind as long as the lights are programmed to their specification, but Fred has realized that this choice can make a huge difference. It is great to see Vista v2 delivering again in yet another environment, and helping a designer get the most out of their design".