'Vampires in Space' is presented as a multi disciplinary work including film, poetry and an artistic set design. The narrative follows a group of vampires traveling through space in their ship expressing their discussions and thoughts. Marques uses the concept of vampires to explore the themes of gender identity, non nuclear families and mental health.
ArtAV have been installing various Pavilions at La Biennale De Venezia for some time now and it is always a pleasure to be asked back to assist by producers we have worked with before. The Portugal Pavilion was based in the beautiful Palazzo Franchetti close to Ponte dell'Accademia in the heart of Venice.
The work 'Vampires in Space' by Pedro Neves Marques is a combination of set and audio visuals. Turning the 3rd floor of an Palatial Venezian Building into the innards of a futuristic space ship. The main room with its loungers and chairs all face toward a 4m wide image in the beak of the ship where main hall work title shines brightly from a 12,000 Lumen Epson EB1505 Laser projector. Using the Epson was hugely beneficial with the built in point correction software allowing the install team to line up the image with the screen accurately, no easy feat given the lack of level and 90’ degrees corners in Venice.
A 7.1 Genelec Loudspeaker system gave the audience the best possible way to experience the soundscape that was finalised on site during the installation by the sound designer. A decision that allowed the artistic team to modify the sound to the building right up to the last minute. Away from the main room there were two smaller side rooms each with a 3m wide projection and stereo soundscape. Smaller Epson 1007B 7000 Lumen Laser projectors were used with Genelec 8020’s Loudspeakers and subwoofers. Using the same brand of projectors allowed a consistent colour palette across the 3 spaces giving the audience no illusion the works were to be viewed as a whole rather than 3 separate pieces.
"ArtAV are simply the best audio-visual team one can have. These exceptional professionals followed me on various demanding projects and they always managed to overcome all the challenges, find the most surprising solutions, knowing how to highlight the quality of the work and reinforce the artistic intentions. They are the best one can offer to the artists and the public. The audio-visual world is something different with them - it's the art in its becoming. With the outmost calm in every given moment, they will keep on surprising you with their creativity and will be the best friends you can have all along your artistic adventure."