STARK - architectural image projectors

SAN SIRO STADIUM

Milan, October 5, 2003

PAOLO BURONI CREATES ONE OF THE MOST GRANDIOSE CHOREOGRAPHIC SHOWS EVER PRESENTED IN A STADIUM

At San Siro Paolo Buroni, together with Stark, set his signature to one of the most grandiose choreographic shows ever presented in a stadium. The choreographic event created for the October 5th Derby at San Siro, broadcast live by Sky with more than 20 collaborating television stations and seen by more than 600 million viewers.

The show was produced by Stark under the direction of Paolo Buroni who was directly engaged by Inter F. C. Internazionale.
The Stark projectors were used by Paolo Buroni not only to create a grandiose choreography for the Derby at San Siro, but also to create probably the largest stationary multi-projection in the world, demonstrating that the potential of this projector go well beyond the limits imagined to date.The enjoyment of those present at the stadium (90,000 spectators) was evident by the thunderous applause for the absolute novelty of the projection on the grass of the soccer field and on the four towers of San Siro.
The national and international press also was favourably impressed by this spectacular novelty and gave it ample coverage, well beyond the most positive expectations; in fact, the event was covered by all television and newspaper headlines.

Following are some comments from the press:
SKY commentator, live: “The scenography is marvellous and it is a pleasure to be part of this event”
2nd commentator: “Unique show, never before seen, thrilling”.
GIANLUCA VIALLI, live: “Compliments on the thrilling, opening scenography”
PAOLO BONOLIS (Inform Sportivo)” a unique show, one of the most beautiful that I have ever seen. An original and intelligent idea, which touches even the soul.
GAZZETTA DELLO SPORT: “A winning, Hollywood style show”
IL GIORNALE: “An American style show, a splendid heart-thrilling choreography”
LA REPUBBLICA: “Cinema on the San Siro meadow”
IL GIORNO: “Inter outdid itself in organising a spellbinding play of lights on the field”

Some of the numbers of the event:
Installed Stark projectors: 50
Installed cables: more than 10 km
Area covered by the projections: over 9000 square meters
Light control mechanisms in the Stadium specially constructed for San Siro and installed by Stark: 380
Images used in the show: 2500
Total absorbed power: KW 150

The uniqueness and the novelty of this operation also lies in the fact that Paolo Buroni’s project was designed not only to create a single event but with the idea of introducing a new , original philosophy aimed at the possibility of repeating the spectacula event at every night game.
In fact, this is the first time that the challenge has been met to transform a space like that of a stadium using the concept of the “theatricality of Light and Space”.
All of the structural lighting devices of San Siro (more than 380) were the object of a long, complex study resulting in their management by centralised direction.
In particular, all of the main spotlights were equipped with 252 remote controlled dissolvers calibrated to dim and re-opening in just 3 seconds.
Obviously, all of the work was carried out in full observance of the stringent San Siro safety regulations while maintaining 100% of the original system functions.

Another absolute novelty is the gigantic projection (8200 square meters) directly on the field, which had never been attempted by anyone before, not even during the World Championship show.
In fact, experts in the field of architectural projections are well aware that “grass” is one of the most difficult “materials” to project images on; this, due to the very high light absorption, definitely much greater than that of a water “screen”.
This, in itself, is a comment on the luminous power that the Stark projectors are able to unleash.

MILAN, EUROPEAN CHAMPIONS


May 25, 2007

Milan hires Paolo Buroni to direct the great celebration at San Siro

In celebrating the brilliant Uefa Cup victory, the Milan A.C. club decided on spectularity and image, hiring Paolo Buroni to direct and organise a grand party-event at San Siro. “It was a truly difficult challenge, because I only had two days to organise everything”. In fact, strangely enough, traditionally, to ward off ill-luck, the Milan club organises absolutely nothing before Victory is sure.
Galliani gave me carte blanche, requesting only that I insert two selections known to be his passion, into the sound track of pieces that I had selected: “Meravigliosa creatura” by Gianna Nannini and “I migliori anni della nostra vita” by Renato Zero. Given the importance of the event and the size of San Siro, I had to put all of my collaborators into action for an uninterrupted tour de force lasting two days, working day and night. The event brought over 50,000 fans to San Siro and was broadcast live on Sky Sport. An enormous “magic box” was created at the centre of the field, with 1000 square metres of screen for the projection of two 360° multivisions, which could be seen by all of the spectators. The first multivision show, “Milan at the top of Olympus” told the story of the 7 Milan cups, igniting the enthusiasm of the fans who accompanies the show with shouts and song. The second multivision show was in celebration of the latest cup with the brand new images from Athens 2007, obviously in a mood of general jubilation. The two shows were intervalled by a performance by the Togni Acrobatic Dance Corps and the amusing monologues of Teo Teocoli. During the grande finale, on the strains of the “Migliori anni della nostra vita” all of the footballers entered the field (several with holding their children in their arms) from Kakà to Inzaghi, from Pirlo to Gattuso (welcomed by a warm ovation), followed by coach Ancelotti. Ancelotti, stirred by the milieu of enthusiasm, uncharacteristically encouraged the cheers of the crows, singing slogans and the Milan anthem.
For the realisation of this mega-event, 46 special Stark projectors were installed at San Siro with over 3 kilometres of wire. The great number and the power of the projectors used made it possible for me to not only project images on the centre of the field, but also on the stadium structures including the four large towers, to give the spectators a sense of being part of the show. I was truly honoured to be asked to create this event by one of the most demanding Clubs in terms of image-events.
A great event at San Siro, this artistic installation created and planned for the Milan Club by Multivision designer Paolo Buroni, one of the best known and innovative experimenters in contemporary visual happenings, who uses his huge multimedial installations to join images, music and architecture in a single language (among other things, Buroni is “Marchigiano DOC). Buroni has already organised the shows for the Inter-Milan Derby in 2003 and the Milan-Bayern for this year’s Uefa cup.

The numbers of the installation
- Direction & Multivision designer – Paolo Buroni
- Graphics: Sabine Lindner
- Images: 1200
- Projection System - 46 special Stark projectors
- Power absorbed, approximately 150 KW
- Production and set-up: Stark srl
- 2000 square meters of images

“URBAN INVADERS”
TO CELEBRATE THE CENTENNIAL OF THE INTER FOOTBALL TEAM

100 YEARS OF INTER AND 100 IMAGES FOR INTER

For the centennial of the team, Paolo Buroni created and organized a true urban invasion of lights. A “Guerrilla communication operation” carried out by frescoing the buildings in the most “in” neighbourhoods of Milan with projections of images of Inter’s past and present.
So, the team that was born thanks to a small group of players who rebelled to the Milan team philosophy is celebrated with a symbolic and adventurous gesture.

March ninth of 2008, was the centennial anniversary of Inter FC, which was founded in 1908. The occasion was celebrated through several events that gathered fans around the team: some were private “invitation only” events, others were open to all Inter fans and to the city.
Among the latter, after the game played on Saturday the eighth against Reggina (victory!!), Moratti chose to throw a huge party at the San Siro stadium with an extraordinary performance by Adriano Celentano and on that same night in Piazza Duomo, the President offered the 100 year Anniversary cake. In order to really get the entire city involved in the celebration, Milan was peacefully invaded by itinerant maxi-projections for three days: 100 photos for 100 years of history, the victories, the athletic feats, scenes from the games, the fans, the faces of yesterday’s and today’s champions.
Visual designer, Paolo Buroni, perfected the idea and created the projections: four teams, each one on a “mobile unit”, equipped with a Stark projecting system, a power generator and the spirit of adventure, rushed to conquer the liveliest areas of Milan: Porta Ticinese, Navigli, the Castello Sforzesco, as well as Piazzale Lagosta, Cinque Giornate and obviously the San Siro columns after the match with Reggina, and naturally, Piazza Duomo.
And most importantly, the façade of Palazzo Reale, for the arrival of V.I.P., soccer players, and management, at the Gala dinner organized for March ninth, in the halls of the palace. By pointing the projectors onto the façades of buildings and monuments, the four teams projected a series of 100 images, creating wonder and enthusiasm in the passers by who were able to participate in the great celebration of Inter.

OPENING CEREMONY FOR THE ALPINE SKI WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS


Bormio 2005: Special Effects



In addition to the performances by the various delegations during the evening of the inaugural event, the mountain became the perfect backdrop for enormous three-dimensional images created through the innovative technology of Paolo Buroni’s “Outerspace” Multivision show.
On this special evening, a new technology was used to project a large Multivision show by Paolo Buroni that covered the entire finish line right up to the snow on the ski trails, which was the scenario for the World Ski Championships. The mountain, the trail and the snow itself became the natural screen for the projections and were included in a puzzle of overlapping images fading one into another to the sound of synchronised music.
Bormio 2005 was the magnificent backdrop for the installation of the innovative and sophisticated equipment necessary for this “Stark” multiple image projection. 25 special projectors were used to cover the vast white surfaces with enormous images, transforming the mountainside into a huge virtual theatrical setting.
This multiple image projection, under the direction of Paolo Buroni and based on an idea developed by Tiziana Bezzi, began with a series of alpine images and a crescendo of winter landscapes, creating a special backdrop for the performances by the delegations of the participating teams.
As in a slow-motion film sequence, a succession of hundreds of animated images was projected using lap fade effects, image overlapping and scrolling accompanied by a synchronised sound track.

The awards ceremony was held in the evening, in the characteristic Kuerc Square in the centre of the village of Bormio. Each day a different multiprojection served as an amazing backdrop to the ceremony.

This complicated installation, which also required the use of a helicopter for equipment transportation and set up, was designed and created by Stark srl, a Pesaro based Italian company, specialised in this type of event and constructor of the special instruments used.
Paolo Buroni, an internationally renowned Multivision designer has already staged similar events using three-dimensional Multiple Image Projections in the most unexpected of places: Montecarlo for the Ferrari team, on the Marmore Waterfall in Terni-Italy for an Archie Sheep concert, in the stadiums of Istanbul (Turkey) and San Siro (Italy), at the Coex Centre in Seoul (South Korea), and most recently at the 2004 Biennial Venice Film Festival.

- Coordination and direction of the Bormio Ceremony 2005: Tiziana Bezzi
- Artistic and Multivision direction: Paolo Buroni
- Graphics: Sabine Lindner
- Projection equipment: 25 Stark projectors
- Projected images and scenes: 1250
- Technical set-up: Stark srl
- Broadcast worldwide

TORINO 2006
WINTER OLYMPIC GAMES

Torino (Palavela), 2006

PAOLO BURONI AND HIS STARK PROJECTORS AT THE TURIN 2006 WINTER OLYMPICS

At the new Palavela, where the skating competitions took place, choreographies that kept transforming the setting with great architectural sceneries were projected during the contests and in the intervals.
At the end of the competition, Paolo Buroni created and directed the grand Finale and awards ceremony (one of the events with the most viewers of the entire Olympics)
At times, the set design followed a game theme, at times it transformed the sports arena into a theatre, an arena with its columns and capitals, and many more settings.

UNIVERSIADI IN TURKEY THE TROJAN HORSE COMES BACK TO LIFE


Vincenzo Ametrano


Early August
In the office it was deadly hot even if the air conditioners were going like wild (I told the editor- let’s move to the seashore, but he wouldn’t listen…plus he said it’s out of style) and even answering the phone was a real effort.
On the other end of the line was Paolo Buroni: “In two days we’re leaving for Turkey because we have to put up an installation which looks great on paper. If you feel like it, you can still find some low cost tickets and in a couple days you could be back home. What do you say?”. It was a flash. I am sure I saw the Madonna of Medjugorje (I know, I know that Medjugorje is in Bosnia Herzegovina and not in Turkey, but it was so hot…) nodding with her head, and without even thinking I told him I was turning off the computer and getting organized.

As Paolo promised, a little over 48 hours later, we were at Izmir, a beautiful town located about 350 Km from the Greek border, facing the Aegean sea, right in front of the Aegean islands (obviously) which have greatly contributed to making Greece a famous tourist spot. But on this side of the border, history and people have taken another path.
The setting in which the event will take place, is the Atatürk stadium, completely renovated for the occasion.
The event we are here for is the Universiadi which Turkey has decided to inaugurate with an opening ceremony which, in terms of grandeur, might be compared to an Olympic ceremony: 1200 walk-ons. of which 800 dancers presenting 15 choreographies directed by 15 more choreographers. Real size sailing ships that take the scene, an enormous Trojan Horse containing more than 30 people, manually drawn to the centre of the field by about 100 walk-ons with enormous tow ropes, giving the great illusion of past times. The roofless Atatürk stadium, can hold up to 40,000 spectators, and for this occasion it was surrounded by great security measures for the fear of terrorist attacks, now more than ever before. In fact here, besides the international terrorism problems, the unresolved Kurdish issue contributes to further enlarging a sense of danger that the inhabitants deal with on a daily basis.
Although we all had special passes that displayed the reason for our presence and our role, the security measures were so strict that we were left outside of the stadium for hours, together with the entire lights and settings team. However, fortunately everything took place without incidents and the Turkish authorities concluded this important event with great efficiency, achieving great results in terms of image, especially on an international level, because the event was broadcasted in World vision. The concept of making a “grand” opening ceremony was also expressed in the technical structures, in particular in the lighting and set designing, which were really out of the ordinary. What really stood out were two enormous towers, 50 metres high, positioned on the outside, on the two sides of the stadium. Because the stadium has no roof, a solution had to be found for hanging the setting and lighting systems without crowding the field.
The two towers were built for this purpose, each one with 150 meter long ropes holding up two 80 meter battens, each hanging 30 meters over the centre of the field.

The set design system was based on three main types of projectors:
- 140 Space Cannons with mobile heads positioned all
along the circumference of the stadium for light
effects.
- 20 P.R. architectural illuminators for the chromatic
effects at the edge of the field and on the bleachers
- 12 STARK Revolution projectors with mobile heads
installed on the two battens mentioned above for the
projection of images onto the game field.
- 12 P.R. spot 1200 projectors, also installed on the two
battens together with the stark projectors, for creating
effects projected on the choreographies.

Because of the enormous quantity of energy necessary, an impressive 20 electric generators were installed around the external perimeter of the stadium.
The set-up, considered one of the greatest ever created in Turkey, was supplied and installed by Focus of Istanbul and handled directly by the owner Mr. Cenk, with Buroni’s supervision and layout.
Among other things, Focus is the distributor in Turkey for Stark and Space Cannon projectors. The Focus workers professionally managed the chromatic effects using three Grand MAs independent of the Space Cannons and the Starks.
The event narrated the history and mythology behind the birth of Turkey, representing and underlining the most historically significant moments with great spectacularity and pathos. The Space Cannons framed the entire stadium with magnificent light beams moving to the beat of the music, while the Starks projected 90 scenographies onto the game field, covered by an enormous raised platform which transformed it into a screen. Inevitably the Revolution projector was chosen for collimating and focussing the images from a distance. This operation would have been otherwise impossible, given the type of installation. Just think that it would have taken 30 minutes to lower one of the battens from the height of 30 meters!
The projections were really spectacular, and although I had already seen the rehearsals together with the other technicians, and I already knew the show, the emotions I felt during the ceremony were indescribable. With all of the walk-ons in their costumes and the stadium full of people from all over the world “oohing and aahing” at every change of scenery, it was impossible not to be carried away by the spectacular beauty of that enormous living painting.

LOUIS VUITTON CUP AMERICA'S CUP


Trapani

For the Trapani leg of the Louis Vuitton Cup, the boardwalk of the Sicilian city was invaded by images evoking water, the seaside and boats.

FENERBAHCE


The turkish team won the the third scudetto star. A mega projection onto the Fenerbahce stadium at Istanbul in Turkey, to celebrate the new champions.

AUDI SPORTS AWARDS 2003


Gilly Cube - Milan 15.10.2003

The ‘Audi Sport Award 2003’ took place at the Gilly Cube in Milan and was presented by the Italian journalist Cristina Parodi. Exceptional guests participated in this evening event. Paolo Buroni used his Stark Projectors to project images tied to the Audi advertising campaign related to the sports awarded during the event. The event was “warmed up” by some images pairing Audi with sports. During the entire evening, the settings slowly changed to create new settings and ever-changing ambiences.

MONZA 78TH ITALIAN GRAND PRIX OF FORMULA 1


Monza, September 2, 2007

Since 1922 Monza has been the undiscussed protagonist of this yearly motor event: a series of events as well as the GP itself, animated the days preceding the race.
“Urban invasion”. Architectural maxi-projections. Piazza Duomo was frescoed and found a new look through the projection of images on the façades of the palaces, the Duomo and the pavement. This “urban invasion” enchanted spectators as it took them into a world of wonder.
Press release: Monza Più Eventi