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d&b XSL series & lighting upgrade for historic, contemporary art space

Jul 21, 2022

Bentonville, ARย โ€“ The Momentary amphitheater completed a significant audio and lighting renovation in May 2022 that will support numerous festivals and attract larger acts throughout the rest of the year. Major bookings include Kraftwerk 3-D, Run the Jewels & Big Boi, The War on Drugs, and Lyle Lovett & John Hiatt.

The Momentary, a satellite to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, is a contemporary art space in downtown Bentonville for visual, performing, and culinary arts. Occupying a decommissioned 63,000 square-foot cheese factory, The Momentary serves as a gathering place to relax, work, eat and drink, and discover art through programs, exhibitions, festivals, and more. The Momentary opened to the public on February 22, 2020. It was founded by the Walton family and based on the vision of Tom, Olivia, and Steuart Walton. The building was repurposed into a contemporary art space by Wheeler Kearns Architects.

Since The Momentary opened its doors in 2020, they have seen an influx of growth and attendance. The influx of events presented the need for an upgrade of audio and lighting equipment for the outdoor amphitheater, where they host various festivals, events, and notable acts. Stakeholders decided to invest in installing a festival-worthy stage and world-class PA and lighting rig. The Momentary Green features an amphitheater with structural elements from the Sydney Opera House. The Momentaryโ€™s opening director and former music programmer had connections with the Sydney Opera House and was presented with the opportunity to own the decommissioned tent in Bentonville. Stakeholders jumped at the chance knowing that the tent has had artists such as Beyonce, Rihanna, Chance the Rapper, Sydney Philharmonic, and more have performed under the Sydney tent.

AUDIO

David Embree, Production Manager at The Momentary tapped production house Gateway Studios &ย Production Services for the audio and lighting installation. Embree had his heart set on installing the newย d&b XSL as a fully mobile rig that could load in and out as necessary for offโ€“site shows. The PA allows forย multiple uses of the system and the ability to deploy in different areas around The Momentary. The XSLย cabinet is the newest addition to the d&b GSL and KSL systems and is recognized as the only modern lineย array systems to offer complete broadband directivity control.

โ€œThe rear rejection truly lived up to the hype. Thereโ€™s just a detail and clarity even just hearing songs weย regularly use for system check. The imaging and detail in clarity were just exceptional. I also reallyย appreciated just how even the coverage was across the field. Itโ€™s a gentle rollโ€“off of volume without combย filtering or strange EQ shading that happens with other systems.โ€ Embree said. โ€œIt has allowed us to mixย and trust that the system will deliver to all the seats, whichย is nice when youโ€™re doing a showโ€“ย itโ€™s one lessย thing to worry about and makes for an easier day.โ€

Gateway built the systems directly from its headquarters in St. Louis with d&b representative,ย Toddย Hartman. The Momentary provided a 3D rendering of the tent, which allowed d&b to input it into their R1ย software. This ensured there would be even coverage throughout the venue. Gateway then preโ€“configuredย the system and built a custom interface for ease of use. All fixtures and cables were preโ€“labeled and readyย for deployment in addition to the significant testing of amps. This preparation allowed for focused training onย the d&b R1 software once onโ€“site for installation. โ€œWe had a major rainstorm the morning of our first showย postโ€“install, and we could verify to the tenth degree what the angle on the main hangs were with just aย glance on the computer screen rather than having to dig out equipment. Embree said.

With the completion of the latest install on the amphitheater, The Momentary is now a full d&b house withย existing immersive audio soundscape throughout the galleries, courtyards, and now the outdoor venue.ย โ€œThe d&b products are like a German automobileย โ€“ย everything you touch down to the ergonomics just feelsย right and is well thought out.โ€ Embree said.

ย LIGHTING

Isaac Palmer, Lighting Designer, came off the road to work full time with The Momentary in February. Asย the organization has been primarily museum centric for the last 10โ€“11 years, one of the large goals forย increased production was to focus on performing arts and the ability to have a permanent lighting rigย installed. Gateway provided an upgraded lighting package that included Ayrtonย Persepolis beams, spots,ย Elation DTW 700 blinders and Chauvet Strike 1 fixtures.

โ€œThe output, even without haze,ย has great beam definition and amazing colors at night. Itโ€™s been a majorย gameโ€“changer, especially with the IPโ€“rated fixtures. We have a small team with limited local crew so beingย able to leave things up is ideal.โ€ Palmer said. With the addition of a permanent lighting rig, the team hasย been positioned for success in the use of Palmerโ€™s designs. He is currently working with Run the Jewels onย replicating their usual plot for their date at The Momentary and has been able to add additional fixtures byย rentingย from Gateway.

โ€œOutside of the quality gear installed, the support we got throughout the setup was extraordinary. Theย learning curve is steep with a complex installation, so having that level of support from a production houseย with extremely seasoned national acts meant a lot to us and set us up for success.โ€ Embree said.

About The Momentary:ย The Momentary, a satellite to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, is aย contemporary art space in downtown Bentonville for visual, performing, and culinary arts. Occupying aย decommissioned 63,000 squareโ€“foot cheese factory, The Momentary serves as aย gathering place to relax,ย work, eat and drink, and discover todayโ€™s art through programs, exhibitions, festivals, and more. Theย mission of The Momentary is to champion contemporary artโ€™s role in everyday life and explore the unfolding story of contemporary American arts in an international context by actively commissioning and exhibiting outstanding works that explore new ideas and inspire action.

For more information, visit:ย themomentary.org

 

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