TAIT Supplies Staging, Scenic, LED Automation and Rigging Elements for 2013 Eurovision Song Contest

	Photo credit: Louise Strickland

Working closely with technical director Ola Melzig, as well as production designers Frida Arvidsson and Viktor Brattstrom, TAIT's European division supplied elements for the iconic Eurovision Song Contest, which was televised to a worldwide audience with stunning performances from 26 finalists last week in Malmö, Sweden. Won by Emmelie de Forest of Denmark, the design concept was to bring the audience and artists physically closer together and bring an intimate live experience to the next level. A three-dimensional environment was created on stage, with impressive depth and multiple layers creating interesting landscapes for the live audience and televised broadcast.

TAIT provided a 450-sq.-m. rolling main stage, including a downstage apron, pantograph stairway, and four flaggapault lifts for dynamic performer stage entrance and exit. A catwalk leading to a B-stage was also provided. Integrated into the B-stage was a triple scissor lift that could move up to six meters above the arena floor.

A range of scenic elements was incorporated into the design, including an upstage ground supported projection wall, with two flown center sections. Two 14m tall scenic arches were fabricated using a steel framework and support ballasts that were then clad with a scenic stress skin panel comprised of fibreglass, polystyrene, and brushed aluminium paneling. The arches were integrated with lighting elements and positioned to frame each side of the stage. To complete the design, a 45m wide ground-supported scenic landscape projection wall sat behind the arches. The rear projection wall was installed utilizing a ground support structure created with rental truss. At its center, an 18m wide portion of the wall was rigged with variable speed chain motors which allowed the designers to open and close the wall, creating alternate lighting and projection effects.

Sixty two kinetic sculptures were also hung from variable speed micro winches throughout the Malmö arena. Forty eight of the octahedron shaped units were suspended over the audience, with the remaining 14 units hung over the mainstage. Each unit is controlled by five channel wireless DMX; three channels for the RGB LED inside the fixtures, and two channels for their speed and position. All of the units were controlled by the lighting operator via an Art-Net patch to TAIT/FTSI's award winning Navigator control system. By making each unit individually controllable with regard to color, speed, and position, TAIT provided one cohesive large sculpture that is constantly changing, which allows the designers to create an endless variation of looks.

TAIT designed, prototyped, manufactured, and installed the 62 variable speed micro winches in seven weeks. Designed as a dual line winch that uses an electromechanical lifting line with a low voltage line running through its core, it allows power and data to be integrated into the lifting lines, resolving cable management issues. The micro winches have a safe working load of 13kg, and are capable of 18m of travel, with a maximum speed of 0.9 meters per second. The winches weigh 23kg and have a detachable top mounting plate, in order that they can be configured to hang from any type of truss, or be installed to custom profiles or permanent building structures.

A 36m-long flying bridge was also created for performer entrance over the audience to the B stage. The bridge consists of 22 variable chain motors (provided by others) and has integrated scenic fascia/handrail as well as integrated lighting positions. The immense 9980kg bridge begins at the second tier at the front-of-house stage left position and spans over the audience four meters above the ground, allowing 25 people to cross at a time. The B-Stage triple scissor lift raises up to meet the bridge and performers access the catwalk that is connected to the mainstage via a removable set of scenic stairs.

Melzig said, "It's been a true pleasure working with TAIT. Their innovations, their quality, precision, and finish is just stunning. I've never seen anything even close to this level of performance. We are all amazed with what TAIT has been able to give us for Eurovision 2013."