European Green Capital’s Sustainable Closing Ceremony
Transforming, the then named, Colston Hall for the European Green Capital Closing Ceremony, as the city gathered to reflect on its momentous year and send the message ‘it doesn’t stop here’.
We worked with Bristol 2015 to deliver the launch events at the Victoria Rooms, then bringing Cirque Bijou’s ‘Bridging the Gap’ tightrope stunt to life at CREATE centre.
Sustainability and provenance was at the heart of every element of the event. We brought in the expertise of local suppliers including Utopium and Evans Audio Visual Staging, to help transform Colston Hall, where this event took place.
As well as overseeing the transformation of the venue, we were also tasked with stage management and production of the event. A bespoke 45ft x 14ft screen was purpose built for the event, utilising the most efficient projection available.
All local suppliers and crew worked within five miles of the venue, meaning transport could be shared and many of the crew cycled to and from the venue. Kit was reformed and reused from the opening ceremony to minimise waste and avoid filling skips and landfill with sets.
The Closing Ceremony included presentations and exhibitions from then Bristol Mayor George Ferguson, local community groups and Bristol 2015 ambassadors, as well as a procession from local children which featured the illuminated umbrellas first seen in the launch ceremony.
Guests were greeted in the atrium with the dress of trapeze artist Karine Mauffrey, rigged and illuminated by Utopium, which was first seen in the Cirque Bijou ‘Bridging the Gap’ tightrope stunt.
