AC-ET appoints new sales representative
(Germany) - A.C. Entertainment Technologies appoints Detlef Eobaldt as Regional Sales Representative for Germany.
Eobaldt has more than 25 years of lighting experience in sales and managerial roles, including establishing himself as a leading industry expert in LED solutions over the past fifteen years.
After spending seven years working in product development, production, marketing and international sales roles for LED companies in the Netherlands and Germany, Eobaldt set up his own LED consultancy business in 2008 to specify tailor-made solutions for client applications.
Eobaldt’s experience qualifies him to represent local sales and support the technology brands available in this region from AC-ET, such as the Chroma-Q range of premium performance LED entertainment and architectural lighting solutions.
The company's choice of brands includes LED technologies from a portfolio of over 200 available via the company's specialist lighting, audio, rigging and video sales divisions.
Eobaldt commented: "It’s an exciting challenge for me to add my LED experience to AC-ET’s international sales team, to further provide the premium level of support customers have grown to expect from such a professional company."
AC-ET's Managing Director Phill Capstick said: "AC-ET continues to extend its international business. We offer leading technology solutions to our global customers at market relevant prices, supported by excellent service. We are delighted that Eobaldt will be working with us as we further our commitment to our international presence."
Nordeon-Group acquires Griven
(Italy) - Italian architectural lighting manufacturer joins Hess to form a strong architectural lighting portfolio for German based lighting group.
The Nordeon-Group has further strengthened its comprehensive proposition to the architectural lighting market through the strategic acquisition of Italian based Griven. Griven specialises in architectural lighting solutions and is very complimentary to the Hess product portfolio and offerings to architects and lighting designers across the globe. As part of the Nordeon-Group, Griven will continue to operate independently under its own brand through its existing organisation and management team in Castel Goffredo, Italy.
Patrick van Rossum, Partner of Varova, the owner of the Nordeon-Group, sees a win-win situation in the acquisition for both companies: “With its broad product and lighting solution portfolio, its extensive technological know-how and deep understanding of architectural markets, Griven will substantially strengthen the market position of our Hess subsidiary. Griven will be able to further accelerate the execution of its strategic agenda and benefit from the existing market access of Hess – particularly in the US and Germany – and the Nordeon-Group’s technology and research and development capabilities. All in all, it makes great strategic sense to Griven and the Nordeon-Group and will greatly benefit our customer base and markets.”
Griven was founded in 1990 by Luigi and Silvio Pederzani in Castel Goffredo in Italy. Luigi Pederzani will continue in his current role as managing director. His brother Silvio Pederzani will continue to lead the company’s product and technology development efforts.
“Under the umbrella of the Nordeon-Group, Griven will continue to be the Griven that our customer’s know, but at the same time our customers and employees will benefit from the products, technology and markets that the Nordeon-Group will bring us,” says Luigi Pederzani.
Griven, a private limited company founded in 1990, has established itself as one of the world’s leading developers and manufacturers in the architectural lighting market. Griven’s comprehensive catalogue of proven quality, high reliability, and fully weatherproofed lighting fixtures, in combination with its in-depth knowledge in designing and programming lighting solutions, have placed it at the forefront of architectural lighting. Griven has always taken a lead position in the area of lighting technology, and started applying LED technologies as early as 2001.
Pierre van Lamsweerde, CEO of the Nordeon-Group, commented: “I am very pleased to welcome Griven – a leader in its market with a strong track record to back that up – to our Group. With Hess – our premium brand for architectural outdoor luminaires – we have good access to the creative and architectural world of light. With Griven and Hess, we now have a comprehensive platform that offers lighting designers, planners and architects the possibility to create or design better and more attractive public spaces and buildings. This positions us to offer light solutions of every shade – innovative, valuable and global – from a single source.”
Architainment appoint new Marketing Manager
(UK) - Carlton D’Souza takes over marketing communications for UK lighting solutions team.
D’souza has experience in Marketing, PR and Sales with manufacturers, distributors and integrators in the electronic security sector, including three years at Sony as a European Product Marketing Manager.
He will be responsible for marketing communications, including PR, website, social media, newsletter and events.
D’Souza commented: “I’m delighted to be part of the Architainment team that works with specifiers to deliver both dynamic and white lighting solutions across sectors such as urban, retail, office and hotel environments.”
Nic Tolkien, Managing Director of Architainment added: “Our portfolio of solutions is evolving and growing, and D’Souza will be responsible for communicating these developments to both existing and new customers and markets. We welcome him to the team.”
Venture Lighting expands solid state capabilities
(Europe) - Venture Lighting extends innovation to include fast developing Solid State Lighting product area.
Venture Lighting President Sabu Krishnan commented: “Solid State Lighting (SSL) technology has grown faster than any other because of scientific and operational innovation, making 2015 the ideal time for Venture to enhance its industry-leading product set. Our customers demand the best solutions for their lighting needs, and it’s crucial that we apply our considerable abilities to SSL, now that the technology has proved its adaptability to the range of lighting situations we see in the marketplace.”
To demonstrate its commitment to SSL, Venture appointed Keith Price, previously Managing Director of Venture Lighting Europe since 1990, to lead SSL business development effort around the world.
Prior to joining Venture, Price spent twelve years with City Electrical Factors, including positions as branch manager, regional manager in the UK and general manager for Germany, and then worked as an independent distributor.
“SSL technology is the future of our industry,” Price commented, “and to continue bringing Venture’s history of lighting innovation to that future is personally and professionally exciting for me.”
In his new role, Keith will build a support team of Solid State Lighting product managers and design engineers, based at Venture Lighting offices and manufacturing centers around the world.
“We are committed to bringing the finest SSL products to market around the world, and will shortly release an expanded product line that will enable our customers to pick the right technology, or blend of technologies, most appropriate for their needs,” said Price. “This sales and design team will offer the specific expertise and capabilities to SSL that our metal halide customers have grown to expect in that important product set.”
Richard Morris has been appointed to succeed Price as managing director of Venture Lighting Europe. Morris, most recently served as sales director wholesale/distribution for the UK and Europe since 2002.
Krishnan concluded: “We look forward to bringing the same pioneering spirit to SSL, even as we continue to improve and enhance our metal halide product and serve and support our customers.”
Amsterdam Light Festival call for concepts
(Netherlands) - Amsterdam Light Festival calls for artists, designers, engineers and architects to submit ideas for Art Works to be staged at the festival's 2015 - 2016 edition.
The fourth edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival will take place in the city centre of Amsterdam from 26 November 2015 till 31 January 2016.
This edition will celebrate humanity, and light as a universal language of expression. The festival's theme this year is “Friendship”. During the period of the Amsterdam Light Festival, Amsterdam is the stage of the European Summits as a result of The Netherlands holding presidency of the European Union.
The festival wants art works that express an understanding of the importance of friendships across Europe, of the way the continent has become evermore united over the past 50 years and how the "friendship" that has been established within the European Union translates into the continent's value for all individuals who live there.
The festival will again present the Water Colors boat tour and the Illuminade walking route. Water Colors comprises of larger, colourful, monumental works along the canals while the Illuminade offers a platform for talent, experimentation, interaction and mixed forms of art and digital technology.
The deadline for submission is 25 March 2015. Late entries will not be accepted. The festival will announce 70 finalists on 8 April 2015 who will be asked to further detail their design and to resolve production issues. 30 winners will then be announced on 29 April 2015. All winners will be required to visit Amsterdam for a site visit in May 2015, now scheduled for 11 – 13 May, the precise dates are to be announced.
New European Account Manager for GDS
(UK) - Fernando Freitas takes over GDS's European Dealer Network.
Freitas will be responsible for European territory working with GDS’s Dealer Network in Europe and end users in both the entertainment industry and development of new opportunities in other industries.
Moving from Marketing Manager to European Account Manager he changes his role at GDS as part of the ongoing strategy to increase GDS participation in the European market.
With nearly two years of experience within GDS, Freitas brings a good understanding of the entertainment and event industry.
Freitas said: "Having settled into the marketing department I am now thrilled to work with our European partners directly in this amazing industry. I am looking forward to this new exciting role and providing the best solutions to current and future customers."
Matt Lloyd, GDS Managing Director, stated: “We are delighted to have Fernando as European Account Manager. Fernando is an invaluable member of the team who can now apply his years of experience working with the company to continue our growth in Europe with our dealer network and end user customers.”
Philips Strand Lighting upcycling competition announces finalists
(International) - The Philips Strand Lighting centenary competition to upcycle a vintage Strand PATT 23 or 123 lamp has announced three finalists.
The competition saw numerous international entrants and 175 people following the Pinterest inspiration board.
Architectural lighting designer Paul Nulty's Anamorphosis, Joe Vose's Back to The Future and artist/designer Derek Goldsmith's 321 Zero have reached the final round. The three designs reflect the brand's significant history, whilst giving the iconic luminaires a new lease of life.
Philips Lighting Application Design Lead and competition judge Mike Simpson said: “The old Strand designs are classics so it was interesting to see how people responded to the challenge of upcycling them, whilst retaining the heritage of the original products. In the winning entries we have different perspectives from something more akin to a piece of art to practical designs that could work as modern lighting pieces."
Anamorphosis uses the Strand PATT 23 as the focal point of a dynamic feature chandelier, highlighting technological advancements in the lighting industry by combining tradition with the ingenuity of modernity.
Back to The Future replaces the lamp of a PATT 123 with a WiFi connected media projector for watching films or television that also works as a decorative object when not in use.
321 Zero is a multi-functional flying saucer design, which works as a small table downlighter or, with the addition of a Philips pocket projector and the replacement of the Fresnel lens with clear glass, can project moving images onto a surface below.
Howard Eaton Lighting will materialise these designs to exhibit at The Society of Light and Lighting Fresnel Lecture on 10 March 2015 where the competition winner will be announced.
The event, taking place at The Royal Institution, is chiefly sponsored by Philips and marks 200 years since Augustine Fresnel invented his Wave Theory of Light. The anniversary also coincides with the UNESCO International Year of Light 2015.
Liz West's Your Colour Perception showcased
(UK) - Your Colour Perception transforms Federation House into visceral experience for visitors.
As West’s largest site-specific installation, Your Colour Perceptionincorporated 5,000 sq ft of Castlefield Gallery’s New Art Spaces Federation House in Manchester.
Developed in direct response to the architectural space, West is interested in the psychological, physical, emotional and spiritual responses visitors experience during encounters with light. She used colour and light to create vast installation art that tested visitors’ perception of luminous colour by overloading it with artificial chromatic light.
The installation opened for two days on 30 January from afternoon to evening, intentionally utilising natural darkness to increase illumination and colouration in the work. Using the darkness of winter allowed more colour saturation in the light than if displayed any other time of the year.
darc awards now open for entries
(UK) - It is now time to enter the darcness… You can now enter your projects and products into the darc awards, the international lighting design awards organised by mondo*arc and darc magazines for lighting designers, suppliers, architects and interior designers.
Every entry will be displayed online for full exposure and every company who enters will receive a free profile in the online darc directory.
Just like in the pages of mondo*arc and darc, we’re not after the most efficient, the best money saving, the safe. We’re after the creative, the clever, the brave.
The categories are:
1 Best interior scheme – low / high budget
2 Best exterior scheme – low / high budget
3 Best landscape /urban / streetscape / masterplan – low / high budget
4 Best decorative lighting installation
5 Best light art installation
6 Best architectural lighting product – interior / exterior
7 Best decorative lighting product
8 Best lighting concept
Now, over to you…
*You can read all about the darc night launch party held on 5 February here
Speirs + Major presents Half Life
(UK) - King’s Cross foot tunnel to house immersive Spiers + Major light installation.
Launching on 6 March, in association with King’s Cross Central Partnership, Half Life uses the medium of light to synthesise a digital journey through light and colour.
Having previously conceived illuminated graphic artwork Light Pipe in the King's Cross tunnel (mondo*arc #80), Half Life is built on a construct of digital, ordered cycles building from light to dark and begins with bold, dramatic steps gradually becoming calmer until they dissolve, ghost-like, leaving just a trace of the light that has been, before resetting to reveal a new cycle.
Within the tunnel’s 90-metre glazed wall are 180 sources that create a palette of animated colour. Through the intricate programming of each individual light source, sequences have been developed from which the narrative of the piece grows organically. Each of the sources consists of five individual elements: red, green and blue light, complemented by warm and cool white. These are then blended together to create a variety of tones and saturations.
While the juxtapositions of light and dark, order and chaos, past and present, peaceful and energetic can be observed in one viewing, the gradual evolution of hue and saturation are only recognisable across the piece's entire duration, creating a new experience on each journey.
Keith Bradshaw, Principal at Speirs + Major commented: ‘We have designed Half Life so that no two moments in the tunnel will be experienced the same. Each visitor will have their own perception of time and distance, immersed in light, dark and colour."
Aura Light acquires Zobra
(Sweden) - Aura Light acquires Sweden-based Zobra as part of growth strategy.
CEO of Aura Light International Martin Malmros said: “This acquisition is an important part of Aura Light’s growth strategy and we have seen an increased demand of complete lighting solutions amongst our customers.”
Michael Engstrand, CEO of Zobra, added: ”We look forward to being a part of the Aura Light group and to supplement its range with our products and our expertise in luminaires. We are two companies that together offer our customers total lighting solutions and high-quality lighting.”
International Year of Light begins with SGM
(France) - SGM package illuminates UNESCO headquarters for IYL opening ceremony.
Finnish lighting artist Kari Kola prepared a full concept including light, video and music for UNESCO’s Fontenoy building during the IYL opening ceremony for 1,500 guests; launching an initiative to raise global awareness about the importance of light for the development of society.
Kola’s installation, Light Is Here, used 130 SGM P-5 wash lights and fourteen G-Spot moving heads, along with 70 LED fixtures and twelve video projectors.
Kola explained: “I wanted to reflect the most powerful elements of natural light, Aurora Borealis (Northern light) and sunrise, bringing in the north and the nature to the opening ceremony.”
The 360º installation swathed the building in blues and greens contrasting the warm colours of the sunrise, accompanied by music composed by Kola. The project presented a comprehensive challenge, with Kola facing a tight timetable as well a monumental building.
The SGM P-5 LED wash light was the main feature, accompanied by elements from the G-Spot moving head. Kola commented: “The purpose was to break the surface with gobo animation and video content. Everything had to be IP65 rated and I needed lots of power and a good saturation of colours, so these units were perfect for the job.”
