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Project Details

Fabric 1

Polyester- custom
Producer/Manufacturer: OTHER
Primary Use: Main Fabric

Engineer Name 1
Trevor Blackann

Engineer Company 1
GuildWorks

Design Name
Sebastian Collet, Mar RIcketts

Design Company
GuildWorks

Fabrication Company
GuildWorks

Installation Company
GuildWorks

Please describe the project specifications

This Fabric art installation was for a rather small, private music festival located in Connecticut. The client is passionate about fine art and wanted to create something special for the guests that made this event stand out as a one-of-a-kind experience. We were asked to design and install two primary art pieces, an entry landmark and a main stage environment.

The entry landmark was designed as a 100’ long gateway into the event where people would have their first impression of stepping into a unique and carefully curated event. Supported by vertical stage trussing, we installed a unique barrel vaulted network of colorful fabric pieces that extend from the ground to about 28’ above the ground.

For the main stage environment, the client wanted us to hide or obscure the standard utilitarian stage that was brought in for this event and add a large-scale colorful backdrop for the audience. To achieve this effect we layered large pieces of fabric that extended from the very edge of the stage about 90’ in each direction. The results were impressive, effectively transforming the lawn into a one-of-a-kind festival experience.

What is unique or complex about the project?

The timing was a critical challenge for this project, we were only given about a month to prepare including design, engineering and installation. Also, there was only 5 days of setup allowed for this project so everything had to be prepared to go up fast. This involved site layout, Installation of anchors, erection of stage truss, structural lines, and finally fabric installation. Temporary roads were also required to protect the lawn from heavy machinery like boom lifts. It took the full five days to install but the team pulled it all together very well. This was the largest artistic fabric installation that we have done since the start of the pandemic when all event-based work was canceled. It was great to work on a large-scale art installation again.

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