Martin by HARMAN lighting fixtures descended 1,000 feet beneath the ground to
take part in a Russian Miners’ Day celebration. The day also marked the launch of
Main Shaft No. 2 in the Kirovsk mine in the Murmansk region. Lighting company
MuzTrade, an authorized distributor of Martin in the region, developed and
implemented the design for the celebration and provided full technical support for
the event.

From an engineering standpoint, Main Shaft No. 2 is a sophisticated complex of
mining and ore breaking. Martin fixtures were on hand to help celebrate the launch
of the shaft inside an ore-breaking workshop located far beneath the ground.

“It’s not the first time our company has overseen a production in an unusual place,’
said Denis Bessonov, Director of MuzTrade. “We’ve produced lighting on ships and
aircraft carriers. Each event is an interesting experience and an intellectual
challenge, as they have specific difficulties. But with Martin, we always find a
solution to the problem.’

In preparation for the celebration of Miners’ Day, MuzTrade faced several challenges
working at this depth. The provided electrical power was not enough to supply an
audio system, LED display and lighting fixtures. To solve this issue, the MuzTrade
team constructed a separate cable, more than a mile long, to bring proper power
into the shaft. Another difficulty was with the limited transportation options. The
descent into the mine is via a 1.3×2-meter lift that is not suitable for equipment and
cases. Lastly, low temperatures and extreme humidity levels in the mine were big
concerns.

Guests exiting the lift were welcomed with Martin MAC 101s placed on their flight
cases, illuminating the mine and creating a dynamic wash. The stone arches of the
workshop were painted in different colours, working in concert with the bright, rich
beams of the fixtures to create an intimate mood.

The celebration took place on a specially constructed stage with an LED screen at
the centre. MuzTrade affixed MAC Auras to the 50-foot-high ceilings above the
workshop. The MAC Auras’ light output was enough to provide a comprehensive
wash to the stands around the display and the invited guests. In addition, they
created a background for innovative gobo projections and decorated the stage along
with the MAC 101s.

For additional event branding, gobos with the customer logo were installed into two
MAC 700 Profiles. The moving head fixtures were directed to the walls around the
main stage. Bessonov said he was elated with the success of the event, despite the
many challenging circumstances.