Kinesys supplies 80 motors for Eurovision

The system, comprising 80 Kinesys motors – a mix of 1 tonne and half tonnes, and K2 control – was specified by lighting gaffer Richard Gorrod and operated by Ian Macdonald.

The equipment was supplied by lighting contractor PRG and the movement was part of Al Gurdon’s design for the event.

This year’s show was a departure from an LED-heavy televisual aesthetic with several unique theatrical elements for the 18,000 people watching in the arena as well as a worldwide television audience.

The automation system allowed a scene to be created for each of the 39 competing countries, who battled it out in three televised shows including two live televised semi-finals, culminating in Saturday night’s final, won by Germany’s Lena, with Turkey in second place and Romania third.

The Kinesys system was used to raise and lower a 130 metre wide upstage lighting wall running the entire width of the arena and bending in around the sides of stage. Directly in front of that was another wall containing 680 ChromaQ DB4 ColorBlock LED battens.

Twelve scenic elements that also moved – a combination of gauzes, cloths and pearl shaped plastic balls suspended on steel wire ropes, all part of the fabulous set designed by Kirsten Weltzin, Bonsak Schieldrop, Trond Olav Erga and Audun Stjern.

The light wall trusses comprised six separate runs of trussing suspended on 1 tonne motors, in a 4-3-2 configuration each side of stage from offstage to onstage, (mirrored on the other side). The ColorBlock consumed another six trussing pieces, suspended on 18 half tonne motors.

The largest scenic piece, just in front of the ColorBlock wall, was a large 80 metre wide drop of choucroute a distressed transparent fabric which picks up light beautifully. This was also flown on six angled trusses and 18 half tonne high speed JJ hoists.