Latest Legends flagship - OT Kun in Kunming
China - Creative director Daan Oomen and his team from Netherlands-based visual specialists Live Legends have delivered a major club project in China – OT Kun in Kunming – following up their work at One Third in Beijing.
At the core of the lighting rig are 56 x Robe MegaPointes and 110 x Spikies chosen by Daan and Live Legends’ lighting designer/production manager, Serge Patist.
They were again working for NOA’s Arc Group as the design partner for this newest flagship venue, a 1,500-capacity property that includes 50 VIP tables positioned right in the centre of the main room action around the dancefloor.
Prominent guests can therefore be in the vortex of an immersive lighting, video, automation and visual experience, all designed and specified by Live Legends. The long-term objective is to create a series of clubs that “unite imagination and cutting-edge technologies, offering a totally new eye-popping clubbing phenom”.
The scope of Live Legends’ work included everything from the front façade, coat check and reception areas to the main room and dancefloor, co-ordinating all the visual disciplines with the goal of repeating the success of One Third Beijing but with a completely different look and feel, offering an unprecedented journey for guests and adventurers.
The MegaPointes are deployed around the main room’s central feature which is a ring of square objects clad in video panels presenting a prominent circle shape. This was inspired by Yunnan tribal necklaces and headpieces, known for their beauty, interesting shapes and vibrant colours.
The 100 Spikies are also dotted around the central feature as well as the DJ booth.
OT Kun also has many other lights including LED strips and strobes plus a substantial automation system and lasers.
Daan explained that the biggest challenge was maintaining an overall intimacy in the space, emphasizing the spectacular and dramatic beam-work around the room and creating a good balance between the aura of international clubbing and the friendly vibes of the city.
The design direction for the club also embraces local Yunnan culture. Kunming is the capital of the south-eastern China province and an important financial centre. It’s known as ‘The Spring City’ for its excellent climate. “Everything is super green and there’s a multitude of parks alive with the scent and vibrancy of flowers, foliage and trees” explained Daan. “We wanted to reflect some of this impressive natural beauty in the design and combine it with a thrilling EDM experience.”
Lighting control is via a grandMA2 full size, with a disguise 4x4 media server and Resolume running the video and pixel elements and a Pangolin for the lasers.
All the lighting equipment was supplied via MRT in Shanghai and installer Topfair, both co-owned by the NOA’s Arc Group.
Working alongside Daan under the Live Legend umbrella were Stefan Peters who created the concept design and interior aesthetics; Bas Knappers who was associate LD and laser programmer and Thomas de Vries, co-associate LD and programmer.
Rody van Gessel was the chief video engineer and media programmer and he worked closely with content creators Desiree van Giesen and Jim de Brouwer. Joshua Dutrieux produced the soundtracks for the pre-programmed time-coded shows that Daan and the team delivered as part of the visual package.
(Jim Evans)

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