Magical SGM G-Spot effects for The O2 Arena in London

This high-profile project was designed by Projection Artworks and the lighting element was designed and programmed by award-winning lighting designer Tim Routledge.

Professional lighting provider, HSL Group, supplied the many SGM G-Spots. Together with M.D. Simon Stuart, the team worked tirelessly to facilitate the delivery of equipment and infrastructure at very short notice.

An amazing accomplishment
Several tests were made with traditional moving lights in weather-proof soft domes, but they failed and proved unworkable. Then the G-Spot moving head was brought in, becoming the obvious choice.

Tim Routledge explains: “This project was delivered at break neck speed from commission to delivery in a matter of weeks. My biggest creative requirement was being able to do deep saturates to achieve the two dominant colours in the display (the English red rose and deep blues matching the client, telecommunications company O2) that would be bright enough at the throws we were having to rig at.

The main logistical requirement was being waterproofed and reliable for up to 8 weeks at over 70m above ground exposed to the elements. After some testing it became clear that the traditional methods of inflatable domes were just never going to survive the wind loadings. -We even tested the domes in a wind tunnel.

We had to find a fixture that could deliver the key creative and logistical requirements and there is only one fixture in the world that can do that – the SGM G-Spot. It’s totally waterproof and in deep saturates very bright indeed. We have been blown away by their use on this project and think we could go some way with developing their use in architectural and temporary outdoor projects. SGM moved at break-neck speed with HSL to achieve the quantity along with the necessary IP rated mains and data cable we needed with a day’s notice – no mean feat”.