Martin by Harman Fixtures Light Up Miners' Day Celebration in Deep MineshaftMartin by Harman lighting fixtures descended 1,000' beneath the ground to take part in a Russian Miners' Day celebration. The day also marked the launch of Main Shaft No. 2 in the Kirovsk mine in the Murmansk region. Lighting company MuzTrade, an authorized distributor of Martin in the region, developed and implemented the design for the celebration and provided full technical support for the event. From an engineering standpoint, Main Shaft No. 2 is a sophisticated complex of mining and ore breaking. Martin fixtures were on hand to help celebrate the launch of the shaft inside an ore-breaking workshop located far beneath the ground. "It's not the first time our company has overseen a production in an unusual place," said Denis Bessonov, director of MuzTrade. "We've produced lighting on ships and aircraft carriers. Each event is an interesting experience and an intellectual challenge, as they have specific difficulties. But with Martin, we always find a solution to the problem." In preparation for the celebration of Miners' Day, MuzTrade faced several challenges working at this depth. The provided electrical power was not enough to supply an audio system, LED display, and lighting fixtures. To solve this issue, the MuzTrade team constructed a separate cable, more than a mile long, to bring proper power into the shaft. Another difficulty was with the limited transportation options. The descent into the mine is via a 1.3m x 2m lift that is not suitable for equipment and cases. Lastly, low temperatures and extreme humidity levels in the mine were big concerns. "When we considered the sensitivities of the location, we knew that the Martin LED fixtures would be the best fit," said Bessonov. "From my many years of experience working with a host of different products, I was confident that the Martin LED fixtures could withstand the high humidity and extremely cold temperatures we were expecting in the mines." In addition, Martin LED fixtures consume much less power than traditional lamp fixtures, and are smaller and lighter as well, mitigating issues with transportation into the lift. For Bessonov, though, the most important aspect is a fixture's reliability. "As difficult and extreme as conditions are in the mine, we knew we could rely on the Martin fixtures," said Bessonov. "We have tested them hundreds of times and they have yet to fail." Guests exiting the lift were welcomed with Martin MAC 101s placed on their flight cases, illuminating the mine and creating a dynamic wash. The stone arches of the workshop were painted in different colors, working in concert with the bright, rich beams of the fixtures to create an intimate mood. "MAC 101s were ideally suited for this project," said Bessonov. "They are compact, bright and their light output was more than enough to draw guests' eyes to the scene and add intensity to the usually stark surroundings." The celebration took place on a specially constructed stage with an LED screen at the center. MuzTrade affixed MAC Auras to the 50'-high ceilings above the workshop. The MAC Auras' light output was enough to provide a comprehensive wash to the stands around the display and the invited guests. In addition, they created a background for innovative gobo projections and decorated the stage along with the MAC 101s. For additional event branding, gobos with the customer logo were installed into two MAC 700 Profiles. The moving head fixtures were directed to the walls around the main stage. Bessonov said he was elated with the success of the event, despite the many challenging circumstances. "Even with all the technical difficulties with the delivery, installation and maintenance of the equipment in such a harsh environment, all the design ideas were successfully implemented," said Bessonov. "The client was very thankful for our efforts and pleased with the final production results." For more information on MuzTrade Company, please visit the URL below. 
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