Connect The Dots

In January of 2011 we did a series entitled "Connect the Dots". Inspired by a 2010 MTV European music video awards show set for a performance by Kings Of Leon, I had the idea to buy some cheap ( ~ $7 for a 4'X 8'sheet) Styrofoam insulation from Home Depot that has an aluminum foil exterior and adhere it to a 2"X 4" framework on stage.

First, we built a rough frame work using 2" X 4" members and some 1"X 3" pine. It was pretty much free standing with some bracing against the back wall.

Second, I mapped out a grid work of holes and cut them out by pressing a 6" hole saw bit thru the insulation. The trick for a clean cut was to start on the foil side and not spin the bit as it was pressed into the material. After all the holes were cut we mounted the sheets of insulation to the frame work with liquid nail and some drywall screws. The seams were covered with some 2" wide HVAC aluminum tape to give it a completed modern look.

The key to the look was to have some moving heads mounted behind the set so with some good haze coverage the moving head beams would pop through the 6" holes and create a multiple spot light effect. The face of the set popped with a blue wash giving it a metallic sheen. The whole set cost less than $200.

In retrospect we wished we had gone wider with the look incorporating more of the stage into the look but given some lighting limitations it was better to focus the look instead spread it thin and lack in lighting. I hope to experiment more in the future with this texture.