Essential to this project was an eye for artistry, a working together of architecture and lighting technology. In the performance area of the Fondation Louis Vuitton, a private museum in Paris, the artistic vision of the rest of the museum had to be reflected and culminate here. The fixtures they needed were versatile and environmentally friendly, making it possible to have energetic beams dart throughout the modern building, while taking up limited space in the confined space behind the stage.
Completing this liberation of the spirit are the Rogue R1 FX-B fixtures, which create myriad patterns in the background as they reflect the music. “Among the most interesting parts of this project was how the Rogue R1 FX-B enhanced the performance of the musicians,” said Bruno Madec, Technical Director of Puzzle SA. “The lighting provided support for the musicians, created a lively atmosphere to better their work. The jazzmen who play there are without a score, the support of the Rogues with the tables helps them to nuance their musical notes.”
Arranged in an oval-like pattern behind centre stage their independently controlled moving heads pointing in multiple directions, the Rogue fixtures created beguiling geometric patterns that not only reflected the music, but also harmonised beautifully with the large angular glass sails that define the character of this famous museum/concert venue.
Seemingly pointing in every direction at once as they reach for the sky, the building’s 12 glass sails work with its other features like the prismatic yellow columns and flowing streams of water to evoke an exhilarating sense of freedom. This flows naturally with the music, which casts off the shackles of conventional phrasing and timing to reveal the essence of jazz.
In addition to supporting the musicians, the Rogue fixtures created an engaging panorama that held the interest of the audience by changing during the concerts. Switching the colours they created with the RGBA linear fixtures, while also changing coverage areas and the direction of the moving heads, the Puzzle team varied the looks of the backdrop without distracting from the performances.
Due to the nature of the venue and the time of the performances, especially during summer, creating a bright scene that still allows for video capture is difficult, but the team at Puzzle SA did it, using the Rogue R1 FX-B’s tight beam movements to create a suitable atmosphere in even the lightest circumstances.
As one of the most daring architectural marvels in recent years, the Fondation Louis Vuitton is a beacon of technological prowess. This spirit of innovation was furthered with the installation of the CHAUVET Professional Rogue R1 FX-B units, state of the art LED moving head fixtures that provide as much versatility as the venue itself. The seamless blend of architecture and lighting, a result of using the building’s 12 glass sails to reflect and deflect the fixtures’ beams, is an example to all young architects and system integrators alike. This project deserves to win because of it’s less-is-more attitude towards lighting, opting for effective, minimalist design that manages to create astonishing results with great versatility.
