Inclusive dance project “Babylon” in the hr-Sendesaal with Cameo and LD Systems MAILA®

Talking to one another is golden

Have we forgotten how to talk to each other? In times of ubiquitous communication possibilities? Even “Babylon – Miteinander Reden ist Gold” (“talking to one another is golden”) cannot and will not provide a definitive answer to this question. And yet LORENZ Stiftung’s inclusive dance project – which was performed on 9 July 2024 in the Großer Sendesaal of Hessischer Rundfunk – shows what can happen when people without borders come together: opportunity for all, enjoyment of art, and a strong sense of community. Under the stewardship of director and dance teacher Miguel-Angel Zermeño, a total of 150 people – professionals and amateurs, people with and without disabilities – took to the stage, accompanied by live musicians and the eCon GmbH technical team led by project manager Moritz Stüve. Together, all those involved created an extraordinary live experience with powerful images and moving music – supported by a sound and lighting set-up from LD Systems and Cameo.

“Babylon – Miteinander Reden ist Gold” tells an old biblical story, adapted to the challenges of modern times: a lack of understanding and dwindling cooperation in times of digitalisation, algorithms and fake news. The Babylon project responds to these communication problems with universal “languages” that everyone understands: dance, music, and movement.

“A piece which embodies inclusivity and integration. A moving evening in Frankfurt.”
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung

Sound for Babylon

As the general technical service provider, eCon relied on an LD Systems MAILA® XXL line array ground stack system for the sound, which offered several advantages in the broadcasting hall: “The hr-Sendesaal venue is designed like a theatre, with a stage at ground level and ascending seating,” explained Moritz Stüve. “At the back, the audience looks down on the stage from above, so we needed a sound system that was as slimline as possible to minimise the visual impact.”

Furthermore, the system had to be able to cover the elongated space evenly and without the use of delay lines. “Thanks to the large number of compact satellite speakers in the arrays, we achieve excellent coverage in the treble range,” explained Moritz Stüve. For the low-frequency range, eCon configured two MAILA® SUBs per side as a cardioid system to achieve a powerful and defined bass for the audience without overloading the stage – with its numerous instrument and vocal microphones – with too much level.

Light for Babylon

In order to adapt the lighting technology of the time-honoured hr-Sendesaal in Frankfurt am Main to the requirements of the complex production, eCon installed its own truss system. For the powerful production and the dynamic stage action, the team had to find a lighting set-up that offered a lot of creative freedom despite the limited space. The Cameo AZOR® S2 spotlight moving head proved to be a compact yet luminous lamp for gobo projections and backlights. The AZOR® SP2 spotlight profile moving head was used as the classic front light, which provided more depth on the stage with its integrated aperture sliders. “It’s always an advantage to use lamps from the same series,” commented Moritz Stüve. “With the combination of AZOR® S2 and AZOR® SP2, we don’t need to worry about colour matching the individual fixtures.”

The ZENIT® series is also able demonstrate its wide range as part of Babylon. While the ZENIT® W600 SMD LED wash lights are impressive both as high-intensity area lights and aisle lights as well as strobes and effect lights with individual pixel control, the ZENIT® B200s are used as specialists for the particular requirements of the production: “As Babylon also features wheelchair users, we are not allowed to lay any power and signalling cables or cable protectors on the stage,” explained Moritz Stüve. “For this reason, we always use the battery- and W-DMX-capable ZENIT® B200 when individual, mobile lighting accents are required in scenes.”

“So much comes together here that touches our hearts: young people and people with disabilities who create something great with a lot of creativity and passion. When I was allowed to attend the rehearsals, you could feel this positive energy straight away. We are delighted to enrich this with the latest event technology and make our small contribution to this extraordinary project.”
Alexander Pietschmann, CEO Adam Hall Group

TO HESSENSCHAU TV REPORT

About the LORENZ Stiftung

Founded in 1991, the LORENZ Stiftung is a foundation involved in the social sector, with a particular focus on the areas of integration and inclusivity. A central component of the foundation’s work is its stage projects, which promote coexistence between all social groups across generations, social classes, and cultures. After “Die Schöpfung” (“the creation”, 2015) and “Die Arche” (“the ark”, 2019), the trilogy will now reach its provisional climax in 2024 with “Babylon – Miteinander Reden ist Gold” (“talking to one another is golden”).