The Tower of Power

May 20, 2016 Joe Kleiman #62 International, 2016, Asia, Features, Technology & Media, Theme Parks, Uncategorized, World markets 0

ECA2 creates Lake of Illusions multimedia tower for
OCT’s Happy Valley theme park in Shanghai

New multimedia spectacular opens July 10 and features new Spiro Screen® effect

At night, spectators will thrill to the spectacle of the tower as it seemingly grows wings, with magical effects and projection designed with the goal of appearing to merge through time and space in every direction and on multiple planes.

Technology, architecture and Chinese storytelling tradition meet at Lake of Illusions, by day a unique sculptured tower rising from the lake at Happy Valley theme park, and by night a spectacular multimedia treat for the senses combining architecture, light, sound, video, water and other effects to dazzle and captivate audiences of up to 1,000 people.

OCT Shanghai and ECA2 announced the new attraction opening to the public July 10 at the heart of Happy Valley. Says the show’s producer, Jean-Christophe Canizares, Chairman and CEO of ECA2: “To match the grand scale of its context in Happy Valley, Lake of Illusions is conceived to stand out in every dimension. It’s a true 360° icon that dominates its setting and will intrigue the park’s visitors.”

The tower has an octagonal footprint and rises 32 meters high. It is 6.5 meters wide at the base and 3.4 meters wide at the top. Lit from within like an immense lantern it extends upward from the tranquillity of the central lake, leaning skyward at a dramatic angle, and can be admired from afar in all directions. At night, spectators will thrill to the spectacle of the tower as it seemingly grows wings, with magical effects and projection designed with the goal of appearing to merge through time and space in every direction and on multiple planes.

Total project development time for ECA2 was two years, including one year spent in R&D to develop a unique new effect called Spiro Screen® that is used in Lake of Illusions. This innovative system uses rotating water jets to produce a vast spectral surface on both sides of the icon where video, light and laser images can be viewed. Pixel mapping machines installed in the icon help create a sense of movement, along with moving water jets, moving lights, mist, flames, lasers, and video projection. Eleven sources of sound strategically placed around the site complete the immersive experience.

The team involved in the project was 140 people strong. Show Design and Direction were by ECA2 France; production by OCT and ECA2; Producer: Jean-Christophe Canizares.

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About OCT Group and Happy Valley

OCT Group is one of the large scale central enterprises subordinated to SASAC, since 1985. Cultural tourism is the most influential main business of the OCT Group. The Happy Valley amusement parks in six cities across the country have formed China’s first chain brand of theme parks. Shanghai Happy Valley, national grade-4A tourist attraction, is located in the Sheshan National Tourist Resort of Songjiang in Shanghai. It covers an area of 650,000 square meters and includes more than 100 amusement rides for all ages.

About ECA2 Group

With its headquarters in France, ECA2 group now spans several continents with offices in Paris, Dubai, Hong Kong, and Shenzhen. Universally recognized for its highly skilled teams, ECA2 is a creator and producer of the world’s most renowned spectacular multimedia shows. The company has built an envied reputation in mounting worldwide ceremonies, and the most varied spectrum of events.

Over the past 30 years, ECA2 has successfully produced more than 60 major spectacles around the world, notably the “Big-O” show for the 2012 Yeosu International Expo and the recent “Wings of Time” in Singapore and “Fountain of Dreams” in Wuyishan (Fujian), both honored by the prestigious TEA Thea Award.