Santa Monica Pier hosts one of LA’s favourite summer concert series, the Twilight
Concert Series, as well as a host of other events. This year, the Pier boasts a new
stage with unique overhead structure; a remarkable work of art illuminated using
Elation Professional SixPar 300IP colour changers.

The custom stage is the creation of design and technology integration company
Stereobot, an innovative building components firm that does many of the displays
for Coachella and other events. Live event production company Pacific Coast
Entertainment (PCE) collaborated with Stereobot on the lighting design for the stage
and art piece.

The one-of-a-kind structure with sweeping cantilevered spans envelops the stage
and reaches to a height of 36 feet. The open structure creates a three-dimensional
experience that allows for visibility from all sides and is something that can be
admired even when not in action. Its truss frame is wrapped in a stretch scrim
fabric and illuminated internally by SixPar 300IP color changers, one in a series of
indoor and outdoor PAR colour-changing lights from Elation Professional.

PCE’s Tim Hemrich serves as Project Manager for Stereobot collaborations and was
tasked with selecting and installing the structure’s internal lighting system. Installed
and exposed to the elements for twelve weeks, the system needed an IP65 rating to
ensure safe and reliable operation. For this project, PCE turned to the bright SixPar
300IP, which houses a 6-color RGBWA+UV LED multi-chip for a nearly infinite range
of colour choices with the possibility to express any mood or emotion.

Capable of strobing and smooth dimming, the SixPar 300IP consumes a low 220W of
max power and has an LED life rating of 100,000 hours. Having led the design and
installation team for Hotel Irvine’s architectural lighting display, Tim knew the
Elation fixture well. “Having installed the instruments for the property’s grand
opening and with a planned operation of 30 days, the instruments have now been in
constant use for nine months without requiring any servicing,’ he said.

Santa Monica Pier’s lighting system required that same level of reliability, but with
the added feature of shared lighting control. During periods of non-use, the stage
lighting is controlled from playback, via an Elation DMX recorder. During shows,
lighting control is transferred to the show’s lighting console.