EvenTechBrief.com

Article by Autumn Thatcher

The Technology of Tension

Not all Technology is Digital

The  Originators  are  on  a  mission…                          

In  fact,  tension  fabric,  the  kind  that  is  bent,  shaped,  and  wrapped  around  an  underlying  structure  to  form  cap9va9ng  and  thought-­‐provoking  forms,  can  be  as  effec9ve  for  genera9ng  rich  a=endee  experiences  as  any  mobile  app.    

Deb  Roth  and  her  team  at  New  York-­‐based  the  Originators  are  on  a  mission  to  stretch  the  proper9es  of  tension  fabric  into  amazing  possibili9es  for  events.      

                       

“Events are our main thing…We bring the wow factor. We bring the excitement and the visuals.

There are a lot of people in our field that do the same kind of thing, but we are really at the

creative end of it.”  

-­‐  Deb  Roth  

                       

 Roth  began  working  with  fabric  

structures  over  20  years  ago,  at  a  9me  when  there  was  li=le  technology  

surrounding  the  art,  and  she  hand  drew,  designed,  and  cut  her  visions  into  a  

standing  structure.      

Now,  Roth  and  her  team  s9ll  hand  draw  their  designs,  but  then  take  them  to  the  computer,  working  with  3D  soIware  to  

bring  their  visions  to  life.        

                       

“The  underlying  structure  can  be  made  out  of  different  things,”  says  Roth,  who  works  largely  with  aluminum  tube  frames  and  a  “pillowcasing”  technique  where  the  fabric  covers  the  whole  frame  and  is  zipped  in  place.  

Because  of  their  flexibility,  fabric  structures  are  used  in  many  capaci9es.  Some  common  uses  include:  ar9s9c  décor,  tunneled  walkways,  and  wall  art,  to  name  a  few.      

Roth  also  refers  to  “tensioning  out”  the  fabric,  a  process  that  is  done  by  extending  the  fabric  out  from  points  on  walls  and  ceilings.    

 

Tensioning Out

                       

Once  there  is  tension  in  the  fabric,  it  has  a  different  light.  It  has  a  real  life  to  it—that  actually  moves,”  Roth  says.  When  the  fabrics  are  tensioned  out,  the  designers  can  then  use  different  rods  to  shape  them.  Tensioned  fabrics  are  rigged  into  place  using  anything  from  fiberglass  rod,  to  plas9c  rods  or  rings,  to  PVC  pipes.  

The  fabric  stays  in  place  by  being  a=ached  to  the  structure.  In  addi9on  to  pillowcases,  zippers  and  9es  are  viable  op9ons  for  securing  the  fabric  to  the  structure.  Because  fabric                      structures  are  made  out  of  a  stretchable                                          material  and  secured  onto                                                            shapeable  frames,  there  is                                                                            almost  an  unlimited                                                                                            universe  of  possible                                                                                                          shapes.    

“The thing about this kind of medium is that it actually can do almost anything. It’s a great design medium,”  

Though  the  possibili9es  seem  endless,  fabric  structures  do  have  shapes  that  are  a  bit  harder  to  create.  Roth  points  to  a  circular  pa=ern  as  the  most  difficult  one  to  achieve.        “There  is  always  a  low  point  and  that’s  how  it  gets  structurally  strong.  We  call  it  scalloping,”  Roth  explains.  If  a  client  requests  a  ball  shape,  there  will  be  scalloping  that  prevents  a  puffed  out,  ball  shape.  However,  the  human  eye  will  interpret  the  shape  as  a  ball  and  not  think  twice  about  it.      

Fabric structures are enabling event organizers to bring visual excitement to their events without spending too much time on the process. The structures are very lightweight, and easy to use. The structures fit together nicely, and can stand on their own; the fabrics can be stretched over columns, or

put up on walls with logos and other branding pieces projected onto them. Fabric structures can also be used as tunnels,

ceiling treatments, dividers, and even abstract costumes.  

Transform your space in 15 minutes!

Bringing  the  wow  is  why  Roth    Enjoys  working  with  event  organizers.  From    projec9ng  lights  onto  uniquely  shaped  white  fabric  to  building  140-­‐foot  tunnels  for  the  2014  Super  Bowl  party,  the  structures  are  an  affordable  way  to  dazzle  event  a=endees.      

BRING THE “WOW!”

Fabric  structures  from  the  Originators  range  from  $350  and  up,  depending  on  the  size,  prin9ng,  and  complexity  of  the  project.  The  installa9ons  change  events  because  of  their  ability  to  visually  s9mulate  those  in  a=endance  and  leave  long-­‐las9ng  impressions.       “You want to impress people when they walk in; you want

to have something amazing. What can you do to make people really remember the event?”

 

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