ANNIVERSARY OF ROBERT BURNS

January 2009, Glasgow

ETC London took part in creating of a light show

The walls of City Chambers of Glasgow transformed into a giant canvas for panoramic projection (75 meters in width, 25 meters in height) during the celebration of 250 anniversary of the great Scottish poet Robert Burns.

The event was organized by the Municipal Council of Glasgow. ETC London Company provided equipment and its experience for this event. Graphics for the projection created by Mr. Ross Ashton, already known to the Council for his numerous projects.

Project leader Mr. John Toffolo asked Mr. Ashton to create on George Square projection show, which would tell about the history of life and vast cultural heritage of Burns ..

The projection show includes hundreds of images from the archives of the Mitchell Library in Glasgow (it has the largest collection of Burns’ materials) and the original drawings for projectors, created by Mr. Ashton. Scenario developed by researcher Mr. Ralph Richard McLean, and the selection of numerous images made by Mr. David Freckleton of the Glasgow Culture & Sport Organization.

Not for the first time Mr. Ashton works in close rapport with Mrs. Karen Monid, who responded for creating of the soundtrack to the 15-minute show. Projection was accompanied by voice-over narration of Mrs. Hannah Donaldson, nature sounds, specially selected music — everything is somehow connected with Mr. Burns and his works.

6-KILOWATT PROJECTORS

The walls of the City Chambers were used for such large-scale projections for the first time, and the creators of the show had to be taken into account some technical features of the site, such as a memorial to the war victims, located directly in front of the building, along with numerous sculptures, outdoor equipment.

To create a projection show ETC specialist used four 6-kilowatt projectors with double scrollers: two projectors were placed on the ground directly in front; two were raised to a certain height and located a little further. For bad weather were mounted a special covers for all equipment. Due to such positioning of projectors the central part of the building darkened by the monument has been completely filled with cross-beams of nearest projectors.

The length of a film with graphic materials for projection show was 20 meters. Show programming with the help of management platform Onlyview engaged by Mrs. Karen Monid.

Mr. Ashton noted: "It was a wonderful project, executed through coordinated work of all who were involved in it from development stage to the immediate implementation of the show.

When creating graphics we taken into account the architectural features of the facade to make sure that the projection will have valued position. We also tried to ensure that Robert Burns was presented properly — for this we had to find a golden mean, combining in our presentation a modern age and a history. "

Lord Provost Deputy Mr. Allan Stewart commented: "It was very important to Glasgow to celebrate the 250 anniversary of one of Scotland's greatest sons by heart and hand. Two basic hallmarks of our city — the friendliness of its population and a liberal to the world — were also inhered to Mr. Burns, and he represented them truly in his poem "A Man's A Man For A 'That”.

That's why we decided that Glasgow will be a worthy city for this unique event. "

Together with Mr. Ross Ashton and Mrs. Karen Monida on the site worked technician Mr. Michael Barry. The City Building Company produced special covers for the projection equipment and provided the electric generators. Show used the audio equipment of Sound Acoustics Company.

The show had panic. From hearsay, the number of spectators who attended The George Square on Sunday to delight in this mega-event, fireworks and related performances, was about 10 000 people.