“They are currently building up a carefully selected stock of their own lighting technology, which is starting to expand,” explains  VWV Technical Director Jonathan “Jonno” Royston, who co-ordinates all the company’s technical requirements.

The purchase of the eight MMXs is the start of an expansion in the kit they own. The units were supplied by Robe’s South African distributor, DWR, also based in Johannesburg.

Royston first saw the MMXs in action on the Robe stand at the PLASA 2011 lighting and sound exhibition in Earls Court, London. He was “Highly impressed” with the gobos, the animation wheel functionality and the high light output, and recommended that they make the investment. “I believe that you don’t need so many of them to produce a really great lighting show, either using them as front projected gobo effects or punchy back lighting  – or a combination of both!” he comments.

This is VWV’s first Robe purchase, but Royston has been familiar with the brand for some time and also seen various Robe products in action on their diverse rosta of shows and events.

DWR and the Robe lighting factory in the Czech Republic  turned the delivery around in lightening quick time, so the eight new units could immediately be used on a ‘Save The Rhinos’ event for the Wildlands Conservation Trust’s Rhino Conservation Project staged in Nelson Mandela Square, Sandton, Johannesburg.

Here, they were mounted on vertical trussing ‘totem’ towers concealed behind a wooden hide – where interested parties walked-in and talked to Rhino experts about the animals’ plight, and discovered how they can be proactive in contributing to the campaign to save them.

Six of the MMXs were used to project a selection of fabulous patterns and ‘liquid’ animations on the front face of the Sandton Library building at the end of the Square, with two units swirling around a couple of striking Rhino logos.

The nightly show was programmed by lighting designer Sean Rosig, and it ran for three weeks to raise awareness of the need to save these wonderful animals from extinction.

It was Rosig’s first chance to use the MMX Spots – although he has used Robe products on many of his designs in recent years. He also really liked the units, saying,  “They are great for dazzling aerial effects as well as more moody things like fire, water and snow effects”.

He adds that features like the DMX controllable hot spot are extremely useful, which means you can get a nice even light field, even when the beam is irised right down. Although he didn’t really use this for the Save The Rhino’s show …. He says it will be “Amazing” for rock and music gigs.

He thinks the projection quality is excellent, appreciates the smooth optics and of course, the dual animation wheel – which is a hit with all designers!VWV’s MMXs were the second batch to be delivered in South Africa. Pretoria based retail company Blond Productions took delivery of the first to add to their growing rental stock.