A show between rock and nature

Maria Cecilia Chiappani

Technology as an essential element of the Tones on the Stones Festival: immersive projections and more vivid suggestions than ever have animated the new season of theatre housed in a former granite quarry

Telling technologies and peculiarities of live artistic-musical events when the location represents, in itself, the first challenge to be won. This is the Tones Teatro Natura in Cava Roncino, in Val d’Ossola (VCO), where thousands of people had the opportunity this summer to immerse themselves in truly unique performances. What is it about? An imposing granite quarry transformed into a theatre, with a rich summer schedule of shows, against the backdrop of a luminous scenography created with video projections and 3D mapping that intertwine with the rock and the surrounding nature. The technical architects of all this are Epson videoprojectors: the company has renewed its support, who have renewed their support for the Tones on The Stones Foundation project for the second year. Thus, the 3LCD projection technologies allowed the public to experience various immersive video sets, among them the ones of the world premiere of The Witches Seed show signed by the international concept & visual artist Edvige Faini in collaboration with Nemo Academy stand out.

Enhancing creativity

An abandoned industrial site such as Cava Roncino is, in fact, a decidedly unusual place to make video projections. This is because it presents significant critical issues, to be overcome with adequate and powerful technological equipment. Edvige Faini knew this well, animated by the idea of leading viewers on an emotional journey through the story of three women and their battle against the obscurantist Church to protect knowledge, professions, and rituals. A journey that plays between reality and distorted visions, between real and fictional characters, in a whirlwind of experimental electronic music and animated images projected on the gigantic rock walls of the quarry. In short, the result of a perfect combination of music, song, dance, and technology. "This collaboration was born from the vision of Maddalena Calderoni, artistic director of Tones Teatro Natura and of the show The Witches Seed, as well as soprano voice protagonist of the opera. For this project, in fact, she dreamed of a scenographic system with a visionary character and a horror / fantasy flavour. At the first contact, about a year ago, I immediately fell in love with the idea.” From here began the creative path that required digital software for images, animations, editing and compositing. Together with the Epson projectors, responsible for the great mapping work on the walls of the quarry and the projection of the digital scenographic system. All accompanied by the experience of Telesystem with regard to Epson video projection and installation, and of MG service for the management of the video part.

Technology is everything

Specifically, the six Epson EB-L25000U projectors for the front and side walls and the EB-L1755U on stage, with 3LCD technology and 25000 Ansi Lumen brightness, proved to be ideal for clearly reproducing digital content on such a wide surface, ensuring powerful colours and striking images. “The technology used to create these shows played a fundamental role - explains Gianluca De Alberti, Head of Sales Video Projector of Epson Italy -. We needed to create a dynamic and high-impact scenography to support the storytelling requested by the creative team of Tones on the Stones. They confirmed to us that technology has represented an essential element both during the creative process of the scenographic systems and during the execution of the events, offering spectators moments of great immersion and strong emotion.” Overcoming the main challenge linked to the irregularity of the surfaces of the quarry walls: different textures, natural shades, cuts, projecting and receding surfaces with important gaps. “The most meticulous work, technically speaking, was that related to the mapping and warping performed on the rock walls, in order to subsequently project the animations. A job that involved several technicians and that required hours and hours of night tests.” adds Edvige Faini. Once again the Tones Teatro Natura has been able to strengthen the union between technique, technology and art. Without forgetting, however, the sustainable elements of the project. "In line with the great attention that Epson has towards the environment - concludes De Alberti -, even the Tones of the Stones Foundation has always shown great commitment and sensitivity to the issues of environmental protection and the economy of resources. The same creation of a single digit scenography goes in this direction.” 

A perfect combination of music, song, dance, and technology

www.tonesteatronatura.com www.edvigefaini.com www.telesystems-pro.it www.epson.it

Luminosità senza compromessi

Approfondiamo la scelta tecnologica del Festival Tones of the Stones partendo dal videoproiettore EB-L25000U. Versatile ed efficiente, con una luminosità di 25.000 lumen, è il prodotto da installazione 3LCD laser attualmente più luminoso sul mercato. Dotato della funzione 4K Enhancement, oltre che di lenti compatibili con la risoluzione 4K, offre una definizione ottimale. Inoltre, è facile da trasportare e da installare, adattandosi a situazioni di ogni genere anche in spazi ridotti. Offre inoltre un’ampia gamma di lenti compatibili con la risoluzione 4K, per immagini ad alta definizione estremamente nitide anche in caso di proiezioni a distanza. Altrettanto performante il modello EB-L1755U posizionato sul palco: si tratta di un videoproiettore laser 3LCD da 15.000 lumen con risoluzione WUXGA che offre immagini molto luminose e, anche in questo caso, tecnologia 4K Enhancement. La flessibilità di installazione e le ridotte esigenze di manutenzione ne fanno la soluzione ideale quando servono massime prestazioni in ambienti di grandi dimensioni. L'ampia gamma di lenti motorizzate, inclusa un'ottica ultra-corta opzionale, permette di installare il prodotto con la massima flessibilità, senza distorcere le immagini o comprometterne la luminosità. Il videoproiettore dispone anche di una fotocamera integrata che assicura la calibrazione e l'acquisizione precise delle immagini diagnostiche. www.epson.it

Uncompromising brightness

Let's explore the technological choice of the Tones of the Stones Festival starting from the EB-L25000U projector. Versatile and efficient, with a brightness of 25,000 lumens, it is the brightest 3LCD laser installation product on the market today. Equipped with the 4K Enhancement function, as well as lenses compatible with 4K resolution, it offers optimal definition. Furthermore, it is easy to transport and to install, adapting to all kinds of situations even in small spaces. It also offers a wide range of lenses compatible with 4K resolution, for extremely sharp high-definition images even when projected from a distance. Equally performing is the EB-L1755U model positioned on the stage: it is a 15,000 lumens 3LCD laser projector with WUXGA resolution that offers very bright images and, also in this case, 4K Enhancement technology. The flexibility of installation and low maintenance requirements make it the ideal solution when maximum performance is required in large environments. The wide range of motorised lenses, including an optional ultra-short throw, allows you to install the product with maximum flexibility, without distorting images or compromising brightness. The projector also has a built-in camera that ensures precise calibration and acquisition of diagnostic images. www.epson.it