Fandango Productions
Case Studies ARTrageous
The Objective:
- To execute a fundraising gala that would commemorate the museum’s donors and support its programs.
- To leverage the continuous support and sponsorship of the guests by ensuring that the event would be a memorable experience for all who attended.
- To design and engineer lighting, sound, and thematic décor elements that would amplify the celebration of the museum’s newest piece of artwork and create an artistic and engaging atmosphere to play off of its theme.
The fourth annual ARTrageous fundraising gala, hosted by the Smithsonian American Art Museum called upon Fandango Productions to assist with the sound, lighting and décor essentials. The event honored patrons of the museum and paid tribute to the museum’s most recent acquisition: Roy Lichtenstein’s 31-foot tall, stainless steel, “Modern Head” sculpture. The renowned pop artist’s abstract geometric figure, previously situated in New York City, just a block away from the World Trade Center, survived the September 11th terrorist attack with but a few scratches on its exterior. In August of 2008, the sculpture found its new home outside the main building of the museum.
Inspired by the modernity of the space and of the art, the Fandango staff worked closely with the museum’s event team to design an electric blue party around the color of the “head.” In keeping with the modern art feel, Fandango created centerpiece sculptures with three blue carnation balls of different sizes, connected by a blue neon tube. An “ARTrageous” branded Airstar glistened from the center of the glass canopy ceiling while a custom-designed gobo painted a picture of the “Modern Head” onto a wall in the courtyard. Dramatic up-lighting radiated shades of blue across the furniture and props in the interior of the Kogod Courtyard. Outside the museum, Fandango provided lighting for the “Modern Head” to draw attention to its great magnitude.
Comprised of 864 diversely shaped panes of glass, the curved nature of the steel and glass ceiling presented an architectural marvel but an acoustic nightmare. Initially challenged by the echoing of its projection, Fandango brought in an upgraded sound system so that the speeches could by heard more clearly.
The gala was a true testament to Fandango’s ability, through its creative design, décor, lighting and sound, to produce an unforgettable evening event that would successfully promote the on-going patronage of the attendees. In the end, the benefit event received high reviews from the guests and far surpassed the client’s expectations.
submitted by: Meriel Colglazier