Award winning event technical production specialist Maestra’s UEA-based operation delivered rigging, staging, sound, lighting, video and AV for Blend Abu Dhabi, a special event to relaunch the YAS Marina Formula One circuit meeting space.
A stunning sculptural set design for the conference session’s stage was conceived by the YAS Event Centre team and augmented by Maestra, comprising 28 geometric structures made from semi-translucent white sheer material, stretched over a series of wooden frames in different shapes and various sizes — with the largest around 2m wide.
All fixtures were lit with a single LED PAR, which were controlled via the ChamSys MQ 60 console which was running the other stage and room lighting which comprised Martin by Harman MAC Aura LED Washes and MAC 700 Profiles, all hung on a number of 22 metre long trusses flown from the venue’s structural roof beams.
Maestra built duo 4 metre high ground supported systems onto which a total of 8 swings were attached. The YAS Event Centre has 3 inbuilt state-of-the-art Barco seamless edge screens in the main area; each measuring 8 metres wide by 2 metres tall, hooking their Analog Way Ascender 32 multi-screen switcher into the screens so they could be utilised for the conference presentations, with material running on a number of MacBook Pros for the inputs.
The main room’s sound system was a QSC line array comprising 6 top speakers and 2 subs with a Yamaha LS16 mixer for control. Sennheiser wireless mics were provided together with a full Clearcom talkback. Three breakout rooms related to the main conference space were each kitted out with a 75 inch screen, a choice of wireless mics, single speakers and a small mixing desk. The 4 metre wide by 3 metre tall arch was made up of 10mm LED screen, with a 2.5 metre doorway in the middle through which guests passed as they entered the event.
The sound system comprised Electrovoice speakers, a Yamaha mixer and a selection of mics. While the reception area featured a 5 x 3m surface of Maestra’s 3mm LED surface complete with 10% curve, which the client loved. This was fed with a wide range of content including animations and ambient material.
The lightweight screen – 10Kg per panel – was rigged and up-and-running in an hour and it looked fantastic. The curved screen also adds many more possibilities for building alternative shapes in LED.
The after-party area in the contemporary Luna Lounge was lit with a selection of MAC Auras, Elation Pro Beam 5R Extremes and MAC 700 profiles, all rigged to four truss totems, there was a Meyer MICA sound system and Maestra also provided a full DJ set up.
