LCI Productions, a leading multimedia show design and production company, has created a fountain system for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre in Athens, Greece.
LCI Productions is pleased to announce that it has completed the fountain project for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC), in collaboration with JY Productions. The SNFCC is a public space that is open to all and offers a range of cultural, educational, athletic, environmental and recreational activities and events.
It is one of the few open green spaces in Athens and was a joint project between the National Library of Greece, the Greek National Opera and also the Stavros Niarchos Park. LCI Productions and JY Productions were asked to create a fountain system for the new complex.
A three-part challenge
This was a unique project that needed to satisfy three different factions. Firstly, the system needed to be in harmony with the design of the famous architect Renzo Piano. This includes a 400m saltwater canal, designed to echo the city’s relationship with the sea. LCI Productions and JY Productions needed to gain the architect’s approval for their plans.
Fountain Designer Rob Paul says “Initial designs looked at using circles, curves and patterns of fountains, but the architecture of the space drives you towards a linear layout of straight and moving jets. The designs included discrete audio solutions that didn’t impact on the canal’s clean line aesthetics.”
Secondly, the project needed to fit with the cultural identity of the SNFCC. The Creative Director of the Opera House paid particular attention to the music selection to ensure the right recordings were used for the fountain show. In addition to this, the colour palette was designed to match with the Centre’s branding and ensure a cohesive look. White, cyan and light green were chosen.
Pleasing the public
The third faction involved was the public, since the SNFCC project is designed to serve the community. Almost 20,000 local residents attended the grand opening fountain show. The music for this event was provided by the Greek National Opera Orchestra, conducted by Elias Voudouris. Feedback from the audience was very positive.
The Fountain System has 59 vertical jets and 10 moving jets. These are choreographed to produce a captivating light, sound and water display.
Fountain Choreographer Andrew Day says, “The music chosen allowed for some great fountain shows to be created. More challenging was working with an electroacoustic composition called Serra, by prolific Greek composer Giorgos Koumendakis, but I think this developed into one of my favourite pieces, creating a fountain show as a piece of contemporary art.
“In a public space that bears the name of the founder, a man who built his business plying the waters of the world’s shipping routes, it’s fitting that water features continue to play a central role.”
The final design was commissioned in March 2019. It was completed in June and the Centre held an official opening in mid-July. The fountains are now in operation every day with shows scheduled every 30 minutes.
The company’s previous projects include the Cardiff Bay Water Show, Latitude Festival and a 5G musical event connecting the Roman amphitheatre at the London’s Guildhall complex with Germany’s Brandenburg Gate Museum.
