HIVE powers Eric Prydz Holosphere 2.0 at Ibiza residency

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10 July 2025

HIVE powers Eric Prydz Holosphere 2.0 at Ibiza residency

Beeblade Nexus delivers flawless 4K60 video mapped onto a transparent spherical LED stage for Ibiza’s biggest ever show at [UNVRS] superclub

When Eric Prydz returned to Ibiza with Holosphere 2.0, fans knew they were in for something extraordinary. Staged weekly throughout the season at the brand-new [UNVRS] superclub, Holosphere 2.0 has been billed as Ibiza’s biggest ever show production – a jaw-dropping combination of bespoke 3D holographic effects, original animation and a completely custom-built transparent LED sphere.

As Eric Prydz puts it:

“We’ve waited six years for this, not because we wanted to, but because we had to. The technology needed to catch up with our vision, as every single part of Holosphere 2.0 is bespoke and original. This is what we always dreamed of.”

Eric Prydz

For Prydz’s creative team, pushing boundaries is non-negotiable – but turning that vision into reality demanded rock-solid technology behind the scenes, which is exactly what HIVE delivered.

A long-standing creative partnership

The founders of HIVE have worked with Eric Prydz for over 14 years – a testament to mutual trust, technical innovation and a shared ambition to redefine what’s possible in live entertainment. From early concept design to final execution, HIVE’s role has been integral, providing the advanced media server technology needed to make Holosphere 2.0 a reality.

“This show is the result of years of collaboration and relentless innovation. We’ve worked alongside Eric’s team for well over a decade. For Holosphere 2.0, the bar was higher than ever – and it was an honour to be at the grand opening at [UNVRS] and witness the incredible creativity and technical excellence of the entire team.”

Mark Calvert, CEO at HIVE

Pushing the limits in immersive live shows

Holosphere 2.0 is a highly complex 3D pixel mapping project centred around a custom-designed transparent LED sphere by PRG Projects – widely regarded as one of the most technically ambitious touring setups ever created.

The show runs exclusively at [UNVRS], The Night League’s new ‘hyperclub’ in Ibiza. Every Monday, the venue transforms from an empty canvas into a sci-fi spectacle: the entire sphere and over 400 lighting fixtures and lasers are rigged from scratch in the morning, rehearsed by night and de-rigged the next morning – ready for the next show to roll in.

To meet this demanding schedule, every component had to be tour-grade: compact, robust, easy to set up and capable of delivering flawless, frame-accurate playback night after night.

Perfect sync for a one-of-a-kind spherical LED sphere

To handle these demands, HIVE supplied its flagship Beeblade Nexus media engines housed in dual Nucleus chassis. A total of four Nexus units were deployed – two live and two backup – delivering a compact, rugged touring system capable of playing flawless 4K60 video mapped onto a complex spherical LED sphere with sub-pixel precision. The entire setup stays perfectly in sync with timecoded content while live MIDI control gives the creative team real-time flexibility.

Dave Green, CTO at HIVE, explains:

“Delivering perfectly smooth 4K60 video onto a transparent spherically mapped LED sphere is a significant technical challenge. Each pixel had to be mapped with sub-pixel accuracy from an equirectangular source, all while staying locked to timecode and reacting to live MIDI inputs. This is exactly the kind of technical challenge we built Beeblade Nexus for – giving creators total confidence, no matter how complex the show.”

Dave Green, CTO at HIVE

Designed for rapid builds and de-rigs, Nexus combines robust hardware with intuitive software the crew knows inside out – guaranteeing frame-accurate sync and flawless performance throughout the run.

Liam Tomaszewski, Creative Director for Holosphere 2.0, says:

“This show has only recently become technically possible, and Beeblade Nexus played a huge part in making it happen. We’ve trusted the HIVE team for years because they deliver on the things that really matter for a project like this: absolute reliability, frame accuracy and an intuitive software environment our crew knows inside out.

Holosphere 2.0 pushes immersive live experience to the limit and HIVE’s technology gives us the freedom to create without compromise.”

Liam Tomaszewski, Creative Director for Holosphere 2.0

A new benchmark for live production

Every element of Holosphere 2.0 has been custom-built to deliver a uniquely immersive experience. The result is a feature-length performance blending multi-dimensional visuals, stunning light shows and precise holographic illusions – all perfectly synced by HIVE’s servers.

Romain Pissenem, founder of High Scream and show producer at [UNVRS], adds:

“The engineering behind the sphere is already a milestone, but what truly brings it to life is the power of the HIVE system. The combination of Liam [Tomaszewski]’s visionary content design and the Beeblade Nexus’s capabilities creates a show that feels alive in a way audiences have never seen before.”

An unforgettable residency

Running for 14 weeks until the closing night on 1st September, Holosphere 2.0 has set a new benchmark for Ibiza’s nightlife and for immersive touring shows globally. For HIVE, it’s another proof point of what happens when innovative hardware, smart software and bold creative ambition come together.

Mark Calvert concludes:

“Holosphere 2.0 proves what’s possible when technology empowers vision. It’s been a privilege for the HIVE team to stand alongside Eric, Michael, Liam, Mattie, Elliot, Pete and PRG Projects.”

HIVE takes flight with Arcadia’s Dragonfly at Glastonbury Festival

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1 July 2025

HIVE takes flight with Arcadia’s Dragonfly at Glastonbury Festival

A striking fusion of technology, art and engineering, powered by HIVE’s cutting-edge software and ultra-compact Beeblade Nexus media servers.

Glastonbury Festival 2025 played host to the spectacular return of one of Arcadia’s most iconic installations – the Dragonfly. Towering above crowds in the Arcadia field, the 30-metre-long sculpture is built around a repurposed military helicopter, transformed into a living, breathing audiovisual creature brought to life with projection, LED and lighting in perfect harmony.

This year marked HIVE’s first full deployment on the Dragonfly. The project – a collaboration between Arcadia, Cucumber Productions, Video Illusions and content creators Astral Projekt – pushed the boundaries of projection mapping and LED playback. At its core: HIVE’s new Beeblade Nexus media engines and supporting suite of advanced software tools, designed for projects where creativity meets complexity.

A Radically Challenging Canvas

The Dragonfly’s body – a decommissioned Sea King helicopter – presented a highly unusual projection surface. Irregular curves, protruding elements and a compact footprint made conventional video mapping techniques difficult. The addition of LED “eyes” and face illumination brought further creative demands, requiring tight synchronisation between projection, lighting and real-time visuals.

Replacing a previously rack-based system, HIVE delivered a lightweight, energy-efficient and more affordable alternative – deploying six Beeblade Nexus units housed in three ruggedised Nucleus enclosures. These were distributed across projection towers on either side of the structure and within the Dragonfly’s head.

“With HIVE, we were able to replace an energy-hungry server stack with compact players that delivered the same, if not more, capability – but using far less power and at around a fifth of the cost.”

Dave Green, HIVE CTO

This efficiency aligned perfectly with Arcadia’s sustainability ethos: the Dragonfly is powered entirely by renewable energy provided by Grid Faeries – making HIVE’s low-power architecture the perfect fit for a large-scale show leading the way in green festival production.

Each Nexus board supported dual 4K NDI inputs with alpha layers – enabling complex video layering and transparency effects. This was essential to manage the real-time feeds created in Unity and TouchDesigner by Astral Projekt, seamlessly blended with a pre-rendered, time-coded 10-minute show sequence dubbed the ‘Arcadia Dragonfly Show’.

Software that breaks new ground

What truly set this installation apart was HIVE’s software – particularly its Obj Map and advanced mapping tools. The team combined multiple techniques to handle the diverse demands of the design:

Obj Map Tool – mapped content onto the hexagonal LED “eyes” with spherical accuracy, importing UV-mapped geometry files created in Blender.
Warp Grid Tool – deployed for real-time warping and projection mapping onto the fuselage and tail.
Pixel Map Page – a new feature used to control Art-Net LED fixtures for the Dragonfly’s facial illumination.
Timecode Support – HIVE’s rock-solid timecode feature tied the Dragonfly’s 10-minute programmed sequence together, effortlessly playing back pre-rendered animation to the LED “eyes” and all projection surfaces.

HIVE’s advanced Obj Map tool mapped over 200 individual LED panels across the Dragonfly’s spherical “eyes”, enabling pixel-perfect alignment on a highly complex curved surface. This combination of tools – normally reserved for big-budget media systems – is now far more accessible thanks to HIVE’s streamlined, user-friendly platform.

Seamless integration, lasting impact

From day one, HIVE worked closely with Arcadia’s technical production team and long-time partners Cucumber Productions and Video Illusions to align the technology with Arcadia’s creative vision. The system handled both the pre-programmed show and real-time content flawlessly throughout the festival weekend – all powered by renewable energy from Grid Faeries and minimal kit.

Summing up the collaboration, Dave Green said:

“It was a real showcase of what HIVE can do – as a platform, as a product and as a team. I’m proud of the result and grateful to our partners for trusting us with such an ambitious piece. It’s still probably one of my favourite visual installations of all time. It just looks otherworldly – like something from an alien planet.”

Dave Green, HIVE CTO

Ben Vaughan added:

“I couldn’t have been happier with how things have gone. As well as making the eyes on the Dragonfly, I was lucky enough to fill the role of Head of Video on the Arcadia stage. This year, I specced HIVE media players and I couldn’t be happier with how things have gone – in no small part thanks to the team there. Huge respect to Mark Calvert, Dave Green and Nigel Sadler for making everything run so smoothly.”

Ben Vaughan, Director at Cucumber Productions

Cyrus Bozorgmehr added:

“It was great to have a rock-solid media server setup at FOH, running dual 4K NDI feeds with alpha, delivering content smoothly and consistently every night. The lightweight equipment meant it was installed quickly with a minimal footprint, avoiding the usual load-out and truck logistics you’d expect with traditional server stacks.

The HIVE system ran content seamlessly to our eight double-stacked projectors, keeping everything precisely mapped and aligned in a busy 360-degree environment. It also powered our custom transparent LED video screen – made of over 200 tessellating hexagon panels – which formed the head of the Dragonfly and the DJ booth. Dave Green and Nigel Sadler from HIVE were great to work with, and it was a pleasure to have them on board.”

Cyrus Bozorgmehr, Head of Creative Comms at Arcadia

Looking ahead, HIVE looks forward to collaborating on future editions of the Dragonfly and joining forces again in Glastonbury 2027.

* Header image – © Chris Cooper

HIVE Powers Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition in London

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5 May 2025

HIVE Powers Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition in London

An immersive 360-degree experience brought to life through precision engineering, cutting-edge technology and seamless collaboration.

Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition opened at ExCeL London in March 2025, inviting visitors to step inside the story of the boy king in a spectacular reimagining of Ancient Egypt. Produced by FKP Scorpio Entertainment and created by Madrid Artes Digitales (MAD), the 26,000 square foot experience blends archaeology, storytelling and immersive technology to astonishing effect.

At the heart of the show is a towering 8-metre-high, 360-degree projection-mapped environment – an engineering feat designed to transport audiences to a richly detailed ancient world. This central immersive space, known as the “black box,” was designed and installed by Belgian multimedia specialists Painting with Light (PWL), with projection powered by Epson and media playback delivered by Hive’s high-performance Beeblade system.

From the outset, the project came with an ambitious timeline. PWL had just under four months to design, build, install and commission the black box for opening night – a full-scale immersive theatre powered by 44 Epson projectors and featuring spatial audio, projection mapping and flawless synchronisation. The venue presented its own challenges, including uneven flooring, changing ceiling heights and limited build time, requiring bespoke adaptation. With multiple international partners involved, the pressure was on to deliver a fully integrated solution that would not only wow audiences but also set a standard for future touring venues.

Hive’s Beeblade Pluto media servers, housed in three compact Beehive enclosures, served as the backbone of the experience. Known for their plug-and-play reliability, perfect synronicisation across multiple outputs using Beesync, easy to use software and scalable, low-power architecture, Hive’s systems were chosen for their ability to perform seamlessly day in, day out. The projection canvas covered more than 1,200 square metres, with content playing across massive ultra-wide resolutions and 30fps frame rates. The result was a seamless visual journey through ancient tombs, temples and landscapes – rendered in stunning clarity and synchronised to an immersive 3D audio environment.

Adding to the technical achievement was the speed and precision of the calibration process. VIOSO, known for their auto-alignment technology, calibrated all 44 projectors onsite in just two days. Their camera-based solution, newly integrated with Hive’s playback system, allowed for pixel-perfect warping and blending with the added benefit of one-touch recalibration should any projector shift over time. The success of this integration was particularly rewarding for the team, marking a new benchmark in efficient setup for large-scale immersive projects.

Despite the complexity of the installation, the system proved reliable under pressure. When a power outage struck during a live show, PWL’s technical team responded instantly – remotely diagnosing the issue and guiding on-site personnel to a solution within hours, ensuring the exhibition continued with minimal disruption.

The London run is the latest in a string of international showings for the exhibition, which has already captivated over 1.8 million visitors across twelve cities including Madrid and Cairo. But it’s also the first time the new, modular black box format has been deployed – designed specifically for ease of repeat use as the experience tours new markets.

Peter van Bilsen, strategic director at PWL, praised the collaboration:

Working with Hive on Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition was a true example of how the right technology and teamwork can deliver exceptional results under pressure. Hive’s media server proved to be reliable and perfectly suited to the fast turnaround. We’re proud of the outcome and of the great collaboration that got us there.

Peter van Bilsen, strategic director

Running until 29 June 2025, the London edition of Tutankhamun: The Immersive Exhibition continues to attract audiences of all ages. With technology and storytelling working in harmony, it stands as a benchmark for what’s possible when the right partners come together – and a template for future immersive experiences to follow.

Working at London’s new immersive venue, ImmerseLDN, was a fantastic experience. This project brought together expert teams – from PWL’s seamless install to Epson’s projection, VIOSO’s calibration and MAD’s storytelling. We’re proud Hive technology helped power such a loved attraction. Huge thanks to PWL for their enthusiasm towards Hive – we’re excited for what’s next.

Mark Calvert, co founder @ HIVE

Electric Picnic Festival

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27 January 2025

Electric Picnic Festival

Electric Picnic, one of Ireland’s most iconic music festivals, marked the end of summer with a spectacular weekend of performances and cutting-edge visual production. Hive was honored to be selected by 4wall Europe to manage the main stage playback, showcasing the power and reliability of the Beebox Pluto range.

Electric Picnic’s main stage required a video playback solution capable of driving massive LED screens from @roevisual with precision and reliability.

The festival’s high-energy performances and dynamic visuals demanded a system that could seamlessly deliver high-quality playback while handling real-time adjustments. Additionally, the scale of the event required technology that could operate flawlessly over multiple days.

The Solution

Hive’s Beehive Nucleus was the ideal choice for this high-profile project.

Featuring:

– Powerful Performance: The Beeblade Pluto range drove the massive Roevisual LED screens throughout the weekend, within the Beehive Nucleus chassis ensuring vibrant and consistent visuals for every performance.
– Latest Software Features: Electric Picnic highlighted Hive’s newest software innovations, providing enhanced functionality and flexibility for live event playback.

– Reliability Under Pressure: Hive’s proven reliability ensured uninterrupted operation, delivering a flawless experience for both artists and audiences.

The collaboration with 4 Wall Europe was a resounding success. Special thanks to Rhodri at 4wall for placing trust in Hive’s technology, and to Nigel Sadler for his exceptional project support. The project team praised Hive’s ease of use, smooth performance, and advanced features that elevated the visual impact of the main stage.

Conclusion

Electric Picnic 2024 highlighted the power, reliability, and innovation of Hive’s Beehive Nucleus range. The event reinforced Hive’s position as a leader in media server technology, capable of meeting the demands of high-profile festivals and live events. Hive looks forward to continuing its collaboration with 4 Wall Europe and exploring new opportunities to enhance live event experiences.

TEMS – Live

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27 January 2025

TEMS – Live

The TEMS Summer Tour showcased the innovative capabilities of Hive’s Beebox Pluto, chosen for its reliability, ease of use, and sustainable design. With the entire show fully controlled by a lighting console, the Beebox Pluto’s straightforward setup proved invaluable to the touring production, highlighting Hive’s ability to deliver seamless performance under demanding conditions.

Concert tours require systems that are both compact and powerful, with minimal setup time and robust reliability for consistent day-to-day operation. Additionally, there is a growing need for sustainable solutions in the entertainment sector to reduce environmental impact. The TEMS Summer Tour needed a solution that addressed these challenges while maintaining the flexibility required for creative video playback control.

The Solution

Hive’s Beebox Pluto was the perfect fit for the TEMS Summer Tour, delivering:

– Compact Form Factor: Small enough to travel with just a network switch, making it an ideal solution for the touring team.

– Optimized Energy Efficiency: Hive’s energy-efficient design helped reduce the tour’s carbon footprint, meeting the entertainment sector’s increasing focus on sustainability.

– Sustainability Focus: Built from recyclable materials, the Beebox Pluto aligns with modern environmental standards.

– Streamlined Setup: With seamless integration to the lighting console, the system offered a quick and reliable setup, saving freight, time, energy, and manpower.

Key Features in Action

Hive’s Beebox Pluto excelled during the tour, enabling:

– Silky Smooth Video Playback: The system’s smooth H.265 video playback ensured high-quality visuals for every performance.

– Flexible Adjustments: The lighting designer could manage LED pixel mapping, scaling, and color changes directly from the console, ensuring creative freedom and precision.

Customer Feedback

The touring team praised Hive for its exceptional reliability and outstanding customer support, with @samuellisher commenting, “The Hive team are one of the best and nicest on the planet.” This sentiment was echoed across the project team, who highlighted the Beebox Pluto’s practical advantages and performance capabilities.

Sustainability in Touring

Hive’s Beebox Pluto not only delivered a practical and efficient solution but also aligned with the entertainment sector’s shift towards sustainability. The compact design reduced freight costs, while its energy efficiency minimized power consumption—a critical advantage for modern touring productions.

Acknowledgments

Hive extends its sincere gratitude to @samuellisher for his continued support and collaboration, @timmsy for the stunning photography, and @tml_worldwide for the opportunity to contribute to this exceptional project.

Conclusion

The TEMS Summer Tour demonstrated the powerful capabilities of the Hive Beebox Pluto as a compact, sustainable, and reliable solution for the demanding needs of concert touring. By prioritizing sustainability and streamlining technology, Hive continues to set the standard for innovative solutions in the entertainment industry. The project team is eager to explore Hive’s potential in future touring projects.

Rita Ora – Japan Tour

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27 January 2025

Rita Ora – Japan Tour

The 2024 Rita Ora Japan Tour presented a unique opportunity to innovate the way video playback systems are utilized in concert touring. By integrating Hive’s cutting-edge technology with the GrandMA3 lighting desk, the tour designers achieved a groundbreaking solution for seamless control and enhanced usability.

Touring productions require highly efficient, user-friendly systems that can integrate multiple functions while maintaining reliability. Video playback often operates independently of lighting control, creating challenges in real-time synchronization and limiting operational flexibility for designers and technicians. The goal for the Rita Ora Japan Tour was to unify these systems, allowing for streamlined control, reduced complexity, and real-time adjustments directly from the lighting console.

The Solution
Hive became the foundation of this innovative system, seamlessly integrating with the GrandMA3 lighting desk through its advanced GUI.

This integration empowered the lighting team to control video playback and system parameters directly from the lighting console’s touchscreens, eliminating the need for additional devices and enhancing workflow efficiency.

Collaborators Sam and Harry developed custom LUA plugins for the GrandMA3 console, enabling advanced editing of Hive systems directly from the desk. Harry, the lighting designer, could monitor the show, adjust pixel maps, manipulate colors, and manage playlists—all without leaving the lighting console interface. This level of integration allowed for unmatched real-time control, giving designers full creative freedom during the tour.

Sustainability in Touring

Hive’s commitment to sustainability played a crucial role in the project’s success. The system’s lightweight design significantly reduced its footprint, power consumption, and emissions, aligning with the industry’s growing focus on environmentally conscious solutions. Compact enough to fit in carry-on luggage, Hive’s system minimized the logistical burden and environmental impact of transporting gear across multiple tour locations.

Bees – Wolfgang Butress

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World Museum - Liverpool

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Wolfgang Butress

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44 Beebox - Minima, Osmia & Pluto

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27 January 2025

Bees - Wolfgang Butress

The product of 120 million years of evolution and with 20,000 known species, bees are vital to our planet’s ecosystems and essential to human existence

Liverpool, UK – Hive Media Control Ltd. is thrilled to announce its pivotal role in bringing Wolfgang Buttress’ celebrated vision to life in the Bees Exhibition at the World Museum Liverpool, which opened in 2024. As a leading innovator in media control technology, Hive deployed 44 of its cutting-edge engines to power the exhibition’s interactive, immersive, and educational displays, delivering an unforgettable experience to visitors.

Renowned sculptor and artist Wolfgang Buttress, celebrated for his work blending art, nature, and technology, collaborated closely with Hive to create a multi-sensory environment that educates and inspires. The exhibition highlights the vital role of bees in our ecosystem, raising awareness of their importance and the challenges they face in today’s world.

Hive’s innovative solutions were instrumental in achieving Buttress’ vision, with each of the 44 Hive engines ensuring seamless operation across the various exhibits. From stunning visual displays to immersive soundscapes, the integration of Hive’s technology enabled a truly dynamic and engaging visitor journey.

“Collaborating with Wolfgang Buttress on the Bees Exhibition has been an incredible journey,” said [Mark Calvert, HIVE Co-Fonder & Managing Director]. “It’s a privilege to contribute to a project that not only pushes the boundaries of interactive technology but also aligns with our values of sustainability and education. We are excited to see how visitors engage with the exhibits over the next year.”

This landmark project would not have been possible without the collaborative efforts of an exceptional team. Hive extends its heartfelt thanks to Wolfgang Buttress Studio, Phil Mayer for his outstanding technical pre-production expertise, and Pesh for meticulous onsite commissioning.

The Bees Exhibition will run for one year, offering visitors a unique opportunity to explore the critical role of bees in our environment through cutting-edge technology and inspiring artistry. Given the exhibition’s subject matter and its alignment with Hive’s commitment to sustainability, this is a project we are immensely proud to have won and successfully delivered.

The Bees Exhibition is now open at the World Museum Liverpool and runs through 2024. Don’t miss the chance to experience this innovative and thought-provoking showcase that brings art, science, and technology together to celebrate one of nature’s most vital creatures.

Luna Park Welcomes the Mythical Dream Circus

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23 January 2024

Luna Park Welcomes the Mythical Dream Circus

To have an in-depth understanding of Luna Park Dream Circus commission please come and meet the Hive team at the ISE Trade Show, Barcelona on stand 5D200, where we will be showcasing our new Beehive product, and our full product ecosystem.

Sydney’s 120-year-old Luna Park recently reinvented itself with the brand-new, $15 million immersive attraction Dream Circus.

Combining artistic creativity with cutting-edge technology, Dream Circus takes guests on a captivating journey through enchanting, hallucinatory visuals brought to life by blockbuster surround sound, holographic innovations and 360º projection.

Enhanced by Hive’s product ecosystem, the media control specialists offered the perfect solution for the world-first attraction.

Dream Circus runs on 32 Pluto Beeblades that are housed in Hive’s new 5U Beehive chassis, alongside 10 Beebox media players. Designed by immersive storytellers Artists in Motion and technically conceived by TDC Australia, the solution powers mythical video through Barco projectors and LED screens inside the park’s existing 3,000 sq metre Big Top building.

An evolution in media control, the Pluto Beeblade improves the way visual experiences can be powered. Essential to any large-scale creative video project, it achieves stunning, silky smooth 8K media playback and 4K output.

The synergy between the various elements of the Hive ecosystem have achieved a spectacular show that blurs the line between reality and fantasy.

“Michael Hassett at TDC, Sydney was eager to deploy the Hive Beeblade range within his Luna Park project. The proven high performance of the Beeblades and product affordability aligned perfectly with the already ambitious ideas of the project.”
Mark Calvert, co-founder at Hive

Mark continues “The Beehive enabled TDC to deploy a traditional rack-room setup to drive the Barco video projectors, and where possible, Beeboxes were deployed to sit next to display technology site wide. Hive now has two successful projects in Australia with BBC Earth Project & Luna Park, and we remain grateful of the trust and confidence TDC has in our product range, in their market.”

Now a permanent fixture at Luna Park, Dream Circus delivers a multi-layered adventure to the iconic family attraction – setting the bar for theme parks of the future that demand immersive thrills beyond the classic roller coaster.

Photo Credits:

TDC is the technology and technologist provider for Dream Circus at Luna Park in Sydney.

The Sistene Chapel

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20 December 2023

The Sistene Chapel

One of the most influential figures in Western art, Michelangelo spent his illustrious career transforming Italy’s most precious palaces, chapels and religious houses into shrines of classical antiquity.

Some of his most notable work can be found in the Sistine Chapel, which, up until now, could only be viewed in person at Vatican City. In a world exclusive exhibition held in the grounds of Warsaw’s PGE National Stadium, the historic edifice has been reinvented 500 years later with the help of media control solutions from Hive.

Spread over three halls, the exhibition – titled ‘The Sistine Chapel. A Legacy’ – is an all-encompassing journey through some of history’s most referenced paintings and sculptures. Polish AV integrators ARAM headed up the complex installation, opting for 39 Hive Beeblades inside Panasonic SDM compatible projectors and three Beeboxes that powered LED walls, transporting guests directly to the Apostolic Palace.

“The right technological solution had to be harnessed for Sistine Chapel Legacy, as it was the first time visitors could get up close and personal with the building outside of the Vatican,” begins Michał Mrzygłocki operations director at ARAM. “The team behind the project – Manuscriptum and LIVE Event Agency – listened to our advice and opted for the highest quality solutions from Panasonic Poland and Hive. There was really no one else that we wanted for this project.”

“The team behind the project listened to our advice and opted for the highest quality solutions from Panasonic Poland and Hive. There was really no one else that we wanted for this project.”
Michał Mrzygłockin operations director at ARAM

When guests arrive at Sistine Chapel Heritage, the first room that they enter explores the era of Renaissance art, where extraordinary reproductions of Michelangelo’s Pietà and David sculptures are displayed. The second space, known as the Cinema Hall, shows the Sistine Chapel and pioneers of the movement across a huge 19-metre LED screen. The third room is where visitors become completely immersed in the chapel via state-of-the-art visual technology, all powered by Hive Beeblade, and kept in sync with Hive Beesync technology.

Named the Immersion Chapel, guests find themselves directly inside the walls of the Sistine Chapel. Beeblade, Hive’s cost-effective solution for media control, was placed inside Panasonic projectors, integrating Hive Media Player Beesync solutions and easy-to-use software into the display hardware and eliminating the need for any complex signal distribution networks.

“The Hive solution was an essential part of the success of this exhibition,” says Mrzygłocki. “I am delighted that we got the chance to be part of such an incredible project in our home country, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Hive. It has been a hell of a ride, with short timelines for delivery and tight schedules with the setup but we did it! The visitors have all been really impressed, it’s definitely a one of a kind project.”

Photo Credits:

Agata Dabrowska Photography

The exhibition is a result of collaboration between the Vatican Museums (©Governatorato dello S.C.V.Direzione dei Musei 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED) and Online Manuscriptum Ltd (© Manuscriptum sp. z 0.0. 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED) and Scripta Maneant (© Scripta Maneant 2023 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED).

Manuscriptum is an avant-garde publishing house that combines tradition with modernity, drawing from the cultural heritage of the entire world.

LIVE Event Agency is engaged in the comprehensive organisation of the exhibition and its promotion. The agency realises both mass events that echo throughout Poland and intimate corporate events. It specialises in producing large sports and cultural events as well as brand and product promotions.

Odyssey: a voyage through light and time.

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15 December 2023

Odyssey: a voyage through light and time.

Odyssey is a transcendent journey through space, time, light and imagination, reflecting on our place in the universe. Imagined by Artists and production company Greenaway & Greenaway and technically delivered by Daniel Williams from LedsAkimbo. Hive’s compact Hive Media Engine delivered high-quality HD playback in an energy-efficient package.

Presented as an LED monolith structure, Odyssey is a bold and dynamic light-based installation that takes viewers on a journey through the cosmos. Standing alone in the darkness, the ambient sequence uses LED technology and the Hive Media Engines to bring the far reaches of the universe into urban and natural environments.

Hive Media Engines are the ideal solution for a project demanding high-performance that doesn’t cost the planet. Offering the brand’s signature web browser control, low power consumption and easy installation approach, Hive Media Engines are a reliable media playback solution that deliver unmatched performance.

The Hive system deployed here worked brilliantly to support LedsAkimbo’s delivery of Greenaway & Greenaway’s work. We are very happy to support this installation and vision.
Mark Calvert, Hive founder