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Following a $41 million rehab, the Frank Gehry-designed
former Centre Culturel Americain in Paris has reopened
as the home of the Cinémathèque Française. The cultural
landmark’s new permanent exhibition, “Passion Cinéma,”
with show control by Medialon Manager, traces the
history of the collections of the Cinémathèque Française
and the Centre National de la Cinématographie which
include films, objects, equipment and costumes -- some
dating from cinema’s earliest days.
Medialon Manager controls a Bull-IDTV video server
feeding 26 GLIMM transparent screens and six LCD screens
and a smaller server dedicated to a Sonic Solutions
spatialization sound system synchronized with three
video projections on a holophonic wall. Manager also
controls the interactive terminals throughout the
exhibition as well as the extensive lighting complement
which includes 400 LEDs plus gobos.
Medialon Manager’s most innovative application involves
the use of the TCP MOD BUS protocol usually used in the
automation industry to control processes at
petrochemical and nuclear-power plants. All of the
electrical power boxes at the Cinémathèque, which
feature WAGO modules, are controlled by Manager in the
timeline under TCP MOD BUS protocol with Ethernet
relaying the commands between Manager and the electrical
equipment boxes. The result is a very flexible and
reliable control system.
Medialon Manager’s user-friendly operation was also an
important consideration. The “Passion Cinéma” exhibition
is entirely automated thanks to Manager’s scheduler
programming which turns on equipment at the dates and
hours chosen by the Cinémathèque.
Manager can also handle remote maintenance and updating
of the exhibition’s video contents and programming. A
custom program by ADN-Systemes, which did the
exhibition’s AV engineering, enables the Manager
operator to use a WIFI connected laptop to fine tune a
video projector’s contrast or modify the display
parameters.
The Medialon installation was accomplished in a quick,
four-month turnaround and represents a unique fusion of
museum and industrial applications.
Massimo Quendolo directed the “Passion Cinéma”
exhibition which features AV design by Jean-Christophe
Desnoux and lighting design by Orphee Lumiere. ADN-Systemes’
head of project was Patrice Bersani with Benjamin Pitte
project manager, Vincent Monnier programmer and Ludovic
Utri handling the WAGO integration. |
