Artist Monet creates summer memories at the iconic Hollywood Bowl
Artist Monet creates summer memories at the iconic Hollywood Bowl
United States – Outdoor venues aren’t getting more iconic than Southern California’s Hollywood Bowl. A premier destination for live music since 1922, the Hollywood Bowl has hosted a litany of stars over the years and serves as the summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. This summer, the LA Phil and a host of other artists, some of whom play with the orchestra like Christina Aguilera, perform under a seasonal lighting rig at The Bowl that features Elation Artist Monet LED profile fixtures.
Full-service lighting company Volt Lites of Southern California supplied 50 of Elation’s award-winning Artist Monet fixtures to The Bowl after adding LED profiles to its inventory earlier this year, an expedition that has joined others. Monet already in stock. IATSE Local 33 installed the Seasonal House Package at The Bowl, whose summer schedule began in May and continues through the fall. Volt Lites provides lighting support.
Burbank-based Volt Lites has worked with the Hollywood Bowl for years on various tours and specials. Company co-founder Matthew Shimamoto said this summer season marks the first time the LA Phil has gone for a fully automated lighting system, having phased out a number of old fresnel and tungsten lamps. “They are very thorough in their process as to what product they want to put in it,” he says. “After a shootout with different LED profiles, they opted for the brighter Monet and have been delighted with the choice so far.”
The 45,000 lumen Monet ticked several boxes when Volt made the decision to acquire an LED fixture that was a direct alternative to a high powered arc source. “Other devices weren’t able to compete with the Monet when it came to color,” notes Shimamoto, referring to Monet’s CMYRGB + CTO SpectraColor color mixing system. “The fact that the framing system was continuous was really unique and the gobos are also phenomenal. “
The Hollywood Bowl features traditional front, side and rear light positions as well as an angled halo walkway and four turret positions. Monet devices occupy overhead electrical installations, side wings and halo with Monets with rain coverings exposed atop the two turrets closest to the stage. “The luminaire really stands on its own. From intensity and color to texture and other features built into the product, it takes The Bowl’s lighting to a new level, ”Shimamoto said.
The Hollywood Bowl is one of the most magical places to see a show and for Shimamoto the opportunity to share the new platform with incoming LDs is gratifying. “For us, it’s not only a joy to have new technology in a classic venue that has been around for so long, but it’s also very satisfying to bring this experience to other lighting professionals who may not have had the opportunity to use the fixture before. “
One of the largest natural amphitheatres in the world, with a capacity of almost 18,000 seats, the Hollywood Bowl hosts the best artists of all musical genres. The LA Phil, who also perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the nearby Ford Amphitheater, present an inspiring lineup of music at the Hollywood Bowl throughout the summer and report to their new artist Monets. Shimamoto concludes, “It’s always refreshing when you step into a well-oiled performance hall that invests time and effort into all the solutions that make a day at the Bowl special. It’s a win-win and a dream come true for us to be part of it.
photos: Farah Sosa and Adam Latham, courtesy of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association
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