Clay Paky Supersharpy in Yuichiro Tamura's Light Installation in Berlin

	Clay Paky's Supersharpy in the light installation at the Berlin University of the Arts. Photo: PRG/Amanda Holmes

Berlin University of the Arts (Universität der Künste Berlin) has built a unique light installation at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin together with the famous Japanese artist and photographer Yuichiro Tamura. Tamura's Long Exposure of the Lonely Explorer has been integrated into David Chipperfield's installation artwork Sticks and Stones, currently on display at the gallery.

To build the installation, the lighting designer and operator Björn Hermann fitted a Clay Paky Supersharpy to a supporting structure 3m (3.28 yards) above the ground. With the help of an eps Club Car, the structure was moved on a trailer around the Nationalgalerie at 20 minute intervals. The size of the installation was calculated in such a way that the entire structure could go around the building in a perfect circle to provide uniform light intensity. A 2kW generator provided the power necessary for the moving light.

An installation by the architect Chipperfield consisting of 144 tree trunks arranged to give visitors the impression of being in a forest was on show at the same time in the Neue Nationalgalerie. The light from the Clay Paky Supersharpy shone through the trees, creating a dynamic impressive play of light and shadow.

Tamura always causes a sensation with his space-related experiments at the Universität der Künste in Berlin. It was the University of the Arts's idea to bring Chipperfield and Tamura together for the exhibition at the Nationalgalerie.

The project manager, Frank Vogelgesang, explained: "We are always very lucky to find fantastic supporters and sponsors, who allow us to carry out such important projects. Beside the Universität der Künste in Berlin, we would also like to thank Björn Hermann, Lightpower GmbH, eps gmbh, Tilo Meuser from Cinegate, and Wolfgang Engel from WE make it."

Clay Paky's Supersharpy has a moving head ACL with a 470W discharge lamp and a color temperature of 7,850K. Thanks to its 170mm (6.7") front lens and new optical unit, this moving head can produce clearly defined mid-air effects even at long distances. The Supersharpy's beam angle may be reduced to almost zero-degrees by means of a perforated grid which provides a perfectly parallel beam, similar to a laser beam. Due to the CMY color mixing system and specially developed color wheel, the light is available in the widest possible selection of colors. The two gobo wheels, prism and built-in linear frost filter produce a variety of effects.

See Clay Paky and A.C.T Lighting at PLASA Focus: Orlando, February 17 - 18.