Ferrari World opened with a bang thanks to ShowTex Middle East one-of-a-kind projection surfaces and never-before-seen reveal curtains. ShowTex Middle East supplied all flame-retardant fabrics and motion systems for the Grand Opening to five clients in total for the Ferrari World project.
ShowTex fabrics really came into their own, however, during the grand opening extravaganza that still has people talking. Super lightweight DekoSilk panels in vibrant red mounted on vertical tracks and attached to a kabuki system heightened the suspense as the huge crowds waited for the unveiling. As soon as the red drapes disappeared, wondrous projections that seemed to float in midair appeared. For the first time anywhere, a new limitless StretchTulle fabric was used.
The fabric, developed in-house by ShowTex, enlaced in the space frame on the central plaza, served as a theatrical scene for projections. “The nice thing about that product is that we can join the fabric together invisibly. So we can make a scene with gauze, and there are no limitations on height or width and more importantly, no visible seams,” explains Sven Peeters of ShowTex. The individual pieces for this install measured approximately 500sq-m. and were stretched into three-dimensional shapes, behind which actors in the show performed. “Our gauzes are the perfect balance between transparency and visibility for projection,” continues Peeters, who says this proved vital in achieving the creative team’s vision of a 3D-type effect. “All the actors were behind the gauze, and the projections were on the front of the gauze, but thanks to the StretchTulle medium, the actors looked like they were actually in the projections, in the image.”
Acting as a holographic scrim, the suspended “invisible” stretch projection screens virtually disappeared as the show began with vibrant colors, lights, and music. Acrobats entered the airborne stage through decorative ceiling panels in blue DekoTaft measuring 25x16m each. These were mounted on horizontal ShowPipe curtain tracks that opened and closed horizontally, as well, to hide performers and allow them to fly in from above.
Inside the venue, guests entered through thick layers of red velvet Shakespeare ecological curtains installed on EasyDrape temporary pipe and base tracks. The entrance hall decoration required an uninstall time of only 30 minutes. These are the exact situations where EasyDrape excels. The curtains and hanging system were up and down in no time and looked as good as any fixed installation.
Another fast and furious feature of the event was the PolyStretch P6 projection screen. Technicians had a mere three seconds to build it up through an intricate manual system of pulleys, rope, and counterweights. The fabric performed beautifully and high-resolution video footage of the fireworks show outside appeared out of nowhere on the stretch screen.
Creative Team
Filmmaster Events, Producers
Daniele Zambelli, Creative Director
Roberto Cacciapaglia , Music Director
Jacqueline Dyson, , Executive Producer
Gavin Robins, Aerial Choreographer
Tom Irthum, Director Of Photography
Bonsai Ninja, Video Content
Showtex, Screens and Soft Goods
Milano Music Service, Audio And Lighting
Giochi Di Luce, Video
Equipment
Supplied by ShowTex
Dekosilk Extra Light Silk Fabric
Dekotaft Decorative Taffeta Fabric
Velvet Velours Shakespeare Oeko Tex 100 Certified
Polystretch P6 Stretch Projection Surface
Stretch Tulle Sharkstooth Scrim
Easydrape Pipe And Base
Showpipe Curtain Track