AARHUS, Denmark — Martin Professional A/S has named Anne Mette Solvang as head of marketing at the company’s headquarter office in Denmark. Martin also appointed Martin Barker as the company’s commercial product manager for its architectural segment. Barker will work out of both the company’s headquarters office and its head office in the U.K.
NEW YORK — The New Year’s Eve Ball that starts its slow descent from atop Times Square on Dec. 31 will itself be new this year: a 12-foot geodesic dome, double the size of previous balls. The 11,875-pound sphere will be covered with 2,668 Waterford crystals and lit by 32,256 Philips Luxeon Rebel LEDS.
LARGO, FL — The Nemo, now available from SeaChanger by Ocean Optics, uses a LIFI plasma source to deliver 15,000 lumens on 180 watts of power. That measures out to be about 83 lumens per watt, or about six times the efficiency of other color engines with conventional bulbs yielding closer to 12 lumens per watt.
KRISTIANSAND, Norway — Robe has named Live Technic as distributor for its products in Norway. Thor-Andre Sæther, left, and Finn Nilsen, right, formed Live Technic in 2006. Sæther became familiar with Robe products as an LD and programmer, and felt it was the right brand for Live Technic to distribute.
OSAKA, Japan — Jackson Browne was “pivotal” in the decision to use an LED-dominated lighting rig for the first time on the world tour supporting the 2008 album, Time the Conqueror, according to Dave Davidian, lighting and production designer. “He’s a very green-oriented person,” said Davidian, who has worked with Browne since 1990. “I was curious about LEDs too.”
I’ve come to realize something recently that I should have known for years. Some of the best guys to have on your lighting crew, actually know little about lighting.
SUNRISE, FL — Chauvet broke ground on its 65,000-square-foot headquarters building, which is expected to be completed in the third quarter of 2009. Chauvet Lighting owners Berenice and Albert Chauvet are pictured here, flanking Roger Wishner, deputy mayor of Sunrise, during the ceremony.
HOUSTON — When Coldplay decided they wanted “Magic Balls” for their Viva la Vida World Tour, XL Video turned to Pufferfish Ltd. to provide a custom solution. Experienced in digital spherical displays and immersive media, Pufferfish Ltd. designed and delivered six “PufferSphere XL” touring units within two months.
The new Christie LX700 with 4DColor technology is a four-panel LCD projector that offers 7,000 lumens and XGA resolution. The 4DColor technology provides a 20 percent increase in color gamut over previous three-panel LCD models. The projectors’ features include a contrast ratio of 2,200:1; an AutoFilter system that rolls out a new filter every 1,000 hours for up to 10,000 hours; digital connections with AV inputs; optional lenses; and a built-in shutter.
IBIZA, Spain — On the recommendation of U.K.-based LD Alan King, who was brought in by Microchunk to add new gear for Pete Tong and Groove Armada’s “Wonderland,” Ibiza’s Eden nightclub upgraded to an Avolites Diamond 4 console before the busy summer season.
DUBAI, UAE — Igloos don’t last long in a snowless desert, and the dome tent structure billed as “the first igloo in Dubai” won’t last forever as well. But the first Gearhouse South Africa In2Structures MaxiDome temporary venue will be used for at least 15 months before it’s disassembled — about 14 months and 30 days after a real igloo would turn into a useless puddle of slush.
RICHMOND, VA — What started out as a one-shot motorcycle charity ride is cruising into its sixth consecutive year for the Long Reach Long Riders. So far, the group has netted over $170,000 for the ESTA Foundation’s Behind the Scenes charity and other causes. Next summer’s tour starts July 31 in Richmond, Va. and ends Aug. 6 in Dahlonega, Ga.