NAC's Kipnes Lantern to serve as "digital campfire"
Lynn Saxberg, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: December 21, 2017 | Last Updated: December 21, 2017 12:05 PM EST
The curtain is about to go up on the signature architectural feature of National Arts Centre’s $110.5 million rejuvenation.
The Kipnes Lantern is the glass tower that presides over the Elgin Street entrance, a state-of-the-art structure made up of a series of transparent LED screens. Starting on New Year’s Eve, it will light up the night sky with a multimedia display of digital images and videos. To find out more, Lynn Saxberg sat down with NAC project leaders Chris Dearlove and Bridget Mooney, and Moment Factory’s Christian L’Heureux.
Q: What’s the purpose of the Kipnes Lantern? Is it a billboard to advertise what’s happening at the NAC?
A: That’s not the intent. The idea was dreamed up by NAC CEO Peter Herrndorf during the planning process with architect Donald Schmitt, and had nothing to do with advertising. “Peter’s vision was really clear,” said Mooney. “This is a beacon for the performing arts in Canada and he wanted to use the platform to celebrate the arts across Canada, not just the ones that are going to be on our stage, but the ones that are in production across the country.”
Q: Moment Factory is the Montreal company that brought the Kontinuum and Miwate multi-media shows to Ottawa this year. How are they involved in this project?
A: Moment Factory won the RFP to provide content and discuss strategy for the lantern, and its complementary “blades,” which are the vertical screens on the exterior of the Fourth Stage, along Elgin Street. For the lantern, they created three ‘wow’ moments to intersperse with images of performances from across the country. These short segments combine video and 3D animation to illustrate the three aspects of the NAC’s programming in music, dance and theatre. “The storytelling is inspired by what the NAC represents,” says L’Heureux. “What is this place? It’s a place of art.”
Q: Who are the Kipnes and why is their name on it?
A: Irving Kipnes is an Edmonton property developer and former liquor-store tycoon, now retired. He and his wife, Dianne, run a philanthropic foundation that has donated millions to support health care, education, the arts, culture and community development. “They loved the idea of the lantern and generously donated $5 million to make it possible,” said Dearlove.
Q: Giant video screens are everywhere these days. What makes this one special?
A: It’s clear — you can see right through it. During the day, it won’t block the view, either from the street or inside the tower. “I’ve seen one in Dubai, but very few in North America,” said Mooney. “If it were off and you were standing outside, you wouldn’t notice a screen. We really wanted to preserve the beautiful architectural feature of the lantern. It’s the transparency that makes it unique.”
Q: Are there challenges associated with a clear screen?
A: The colour black is a problem. “With traditional LED screens, they achieve the colour black by not being lit, which works because you have the backing that creates black. But when it’s transparent, it changes the content,” said Mooney. “We’re not going to fight it. We want to embrace the transparency and use it to the best advantage … It’s driven the decision we’ve made to run the lantern in the evening. It looks spectacular in evening. During the day, it’s more difficult to see.”
Q: What about the screen setup?
A: Another big challenge, says L’Heureux, pointing to the various panels of the lantern and the vertical blades along the street. “There’s no screen like this anywhere else in the world,” he said. “The geometry and the way you present the information and the different aspects of the animation was a challenge for us, but the results are amazing.” Adds Mooney: “It creates a different experience for audiences watching on each side.”
Q: Why is the NAC describing the lantern as the Fifth Stage?
A: As patrons know, the NAC has four meticulously curated stages inside the building. The lantern is being called the Fifth because a similar level of “care and attention” is going into programming it, said Mooney. “In the past, if you wanted to have an artistic experience at the NAC, you have to come through our doors and buy a ticket. This is going to change that.”
Q: You’ve been testing the screens for a while, but the official launch is New Year’s Eve. How long will it run?
A: It’s permanent. It will be illuminated every night, 365 days a year.
Q: Is it possible to vary the images?
A: Yes. “The potential of it is pretty exciting,” said Dearlove. “We have great content to run with, but we also know we have an opportunity to become part of the city’s life.” Canada Day, Remembrance Day and National Indigenous People’s Day are some of the occasions that will call for special content. Other images could also commemorate the loss of a national hero, such as Gord Downie or Leonard Cohen.
Q: What about livestreaming concerts that are taking place inside the building?
A: It’s a possibility, although it won’t happen right away. While the system does not have built-in audio, a sound system can be set up for special occasions (and will be in place for New Year’s Eve). “We’ve been thinking of it as a digital campfire,” she added. “There are a lot of activities where we can respond with the lantern, and people can come to the campfire and share the moment.”
Be here for the New Year
Free for the family
When: Sunday, Dec. 31, 5 to 9 p.m.
Where: Atrium, National Arts Centre
What: Holiday crafts, performances by local band Stevens and Kennedy, a New Year’s dance moves workshop by Luv 2 Groove, and lots of hot chocolate!
Light the Lantern
New Year’s Eve celebration dinner and dance
When: Sunday, Dec. 31, 7 p.m. (the lantern will be officially lit at 8:45 p.m.)
Where: Canal Foyer 1 Elgin Street, National Arts Centre
What: Four-course meal, dancing and a sparkling midnight toast
Tickets: $199 per couple, available at NAC boxoffice or by phone 613-232-5713
lsaxberg@postmedia.com
Twitter @lynnsaxberg
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