Blinded by the lights
For the last couple of weeks I’ve had the good fortune of helping out some mates who have been putting together a 27m tall Xmas tree in Victoria Park in Auckland, New Zealand. The tree consists of 37500 individually computer controlled lights that are strung on 156 individual strands.
With a team of around 10-15 at some stages, we drilled around 65000 holes in plastic balls to make them scintillate. Attached around 20000 cable ties. Used over 400m of tape. Constructed, tested, refined over 2 weeks to get it ready for the public.
The tree is sponsored by Telecom and is in support of the Woman’s Refuge and the official site for the tree is:
There are areas down there to drop off any gifts you are willing to donate to the Woman’s Refuge to help make Xmas a little brighter for some children out there. Any gifts are welcomed with open arms in these difficult economic times.
To see the tree in action it’s open to the public every night up to Xmas from 7:00pm -11:00pm. There are deckchairs and beanbags all over the show to sit on. Personally I recommend laying down under the tree and looking up.
The real credit should go to David Eversfield and his team from Optic Shock. They designed the entire lighting rig and programed the entire thing. For more information on them go to:
Here are a few of the pics of the tree in the Alingi shed at the Viaduct before it went up at is final location in Vic Park. I think every house needs this under a glass floor. Everywhere. Everyone.
For a video laying out what it’s all about hit -
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