Shangri La Blog

[Paul ™]

End of Jan and the Shangri-train is rolling, we've done the concept and design development, now working on detail and ploughing through the mountain of pre-production to be done. We've had some great news and there are a couple massive new scores that I can tell you about (as opposed to the ones that I can't tell you about).

We've just scored the use of 4 x 35k HD projectors for the video mapping, making a total of a whopping 140,000 lumen being thrown at that wall. Last year we had 72k, you'd have thought that would be enough but no, so big thanks to Darkroom and LM Productions for that - hopefully the videomapping in the Hub will reach its full potential this year.

A big thank-you goes to The Wellcome Trust, who have enabled us to make us exciting new developments this year by commissioning us as part of their season on DIRT to design and build a whole new aspect to Shangri-La….…introducing The Skywalk, Decontamination Chambers and Virus.

As you may know, Shangri-La has a storyline that evolves year by year and willingly or not, you become part of it. In 2009 it was a pleasure city run by a corrupt dictatorship. In 2010 the ruling administration was overthrown and the city was opened up to rebels and chancers who had to fight for resources to carve out their own little piece of paradise.

2011 sees the population preparing to flee before, as they believe, the end of the world in 2012. They've given up trying to save the planet, it was all a bit too much like hard work so they've colonised somewhere else instead. It's a new world, apparently much nicer, and only those who make the grade will be allowed to go there. Everything valuable has been shrinkwrapped in preparation for the first transport shipment to the new world (first ship leaves on Monday) and everything else, especially those vile and virus-ridden slums, is being left to rot in its own miasma.

In order to gain your place in the new and much nicer colony, please make your way to the decontamination facility, where the scientists there can determine whether you are in need of physical or moral decontamination. Post-decontamination, you will given your bio-hazard suit and only then will you be granted access to the Skywalk and be able to take the first step up out of the filth, your journey to the new world….

Linky

[Mardy]

I love it, probably my favourite part of the site in terms of creativity, artistry and surprise. Fantastic. All the more amazing when you think about how much work it takes and how much discipline to get it all together on time.

[elfimaju]

End of Jan and the Shangri-train is rolling, we've done the concept and design development, now working on detail and ploughing through the mountain of pre-production to be done. We've had some great news and there are a couple massive new scores that I can tell you about (as opposed to the ones that I can't tell you about).

We've just scored the use of 4 x 35k HD projectors for the video mapping, making a total of a whopping 140,000 lumen being thrown at that wall. Last year we had 72k, you'd have thought that would be enough but no, so big thanks to Darkroom and LM Productions for that - hopefully the videomapping in the Hub will reach its full potential this year.

A big thank-you goes to The Wellcome Trust, who have enabled us to make us exciting new developments this year by commissioning us as part of their season on DIRT to design and build a whole new aspect to Shangri-La….…introducing The Skywalk, Decontamination Chambers and Virus.

As you may know, Shangri-La has a storyline that evolves year by year and willingly or not, you become part of it. In 2009 it was a pleasure city run by a corrupt dictatorship. In 2010 the ruling administration was overthrown and the city was opened up to rebels and chancers who had to fight for resources to carve out their own little piece of paradise.

2011 sees the population preparing to flee before, as they believe, the end of the world in 2012. They've given up trying to save the planet, it was all a bit too much like hard work so they've colonised somewhere else instead. It's a new world, apparently much nicer, and only those who make the grade will be allowed to go there. Everything valuable has been shrinkwrapped in preparation for the first transport shipment to the new world (first ship leaves on Monday) and everything else, especially those vile and virus-ridden slums, is being left to rot in its own miasma.

In order to gain your place in the new and much nicer colony, please make your way to the decontamination facility, where the scientists there can determine whether you are in need of physical or moral decontamination. Post-decontamination, you will given your bio-hazard suit and only then will you be granted access to the Skywalk and be able to take the first step up out of the filth, your journey to the new world….

Linky

[Pinhead]

Liking the sound of this - really imaginative - like Blade Runner plot context by sounds of it - will be so refreshing to enter this dimension of weirdness after my normal daily mundane existence. A chance to begin over on the off-world colonies . . .

[fatyeti24]

YES!

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES!

[LondonTom]

I like the story fits with the gap year and all that , should be good

[LondonTom]

I like the story fits with the gap year and all that , should be good

[halfpint]

I really cant wait now!

[Big Vern]

never been to Glasto before but this year is my first and the part I am looking most forward to is Shangri La! I cannot wait!

[5co77ie]

How much decontamination do we need for Skywalking?

[rexclark]

Sounds amazing!

[denwyn]

I have tried for 3 years to get my head around this Shangr La part of Glastonbury,but i don't get it at all,what i have just read sounds amazing,so i may give it a go again this year. Could be i am going at the wrong time,think it was about 10pm last year...If its one of those places that comes alive in the early hours then i shall have to give it a miss....can't do the all night stuff anymore..

[mungo57]

In answer to Denwyn, We went to Shangri La at about 10ish I think one of the nights and then the next night we went after about 1am, it was much better in the wee smalls.

Shangri La and the other late night areas are definitely much better in the early hours and didnt seem to come alive until all the bands had finished on the main stages.

[Paul ™]

Best time to go round the crazy corner of the site is around 2am - 6am

[4AssedMonkey]

Best time to go round the crazy corner of the site is around 2am - 6am

[FunkyDenz]

Sounds intriguing. I wonder what moral decontamination involves?

[denwyn]

Best time to go round the crazy corner of the site is around 2am - 6am

[LusciousLucy]

Tbh, the youngsters, a lot of them that I saw anyways, didn't 'get it'.

It wasnt as touristy last year as the previous one but it does take some getting used to in some places.

It's great fun and I love the story arc that goes with it. Visiting in the mid to late afternoon when half the village/city is shut is a good way to get to grips with what is going on as you can watch the video feeds better, get into head f**king conversations with the locals and stop and read the government announcements that are posted up sometimes a little out of sight.

And just go with it is the best motto at the end of the day. Open your mind and it will come.

Edited February 1, 2011 by LusciousLucy

[rachbon]

i love shangri la!!! i'm so excited

[Random Circle]

This cheered me right up for 1st Feb/Imbolc..

I was so blown away by the sight of all this last year, I just had to sit down and drink it all in. There's a lot of pretentious talk around 'projects' fusing art, installation, theatre, festival and celebration; particularly when there is an urge towards audience participation, interaction and contribution to the event. Shangri-La et al exceeded all expectations, in my opinion. As I say: Truly, was blown away. Never experienced such an overwhelming personal response to anything of this kind. And that is probably because there isn't anything of this kind to compare. I believe they have created a genre all of its own. Absolutely fantastic. And no arty, pretentious talk at all. Bravo!

(Where are the ra-ra dancing, clapping-type smilies? This'll have to do>>)

[Stu H]

Shangri La is an amazing head-f**k. Love it. We staggered around it in depth at 5am on the Sunday last year and had a great time.

[discodave80]

shangri la was by far my favourite part of Glastonbury last year and to think it could get better is insane - the story that goes with it is genius

[BlackHole2006]

Shangri-La is always absolutely incredible every year I've been. The fact that people are prepared to put that amount of effort and hard work into something that is only there for 4 days is amazing in itself. I only really wander round Shangri-La for an hour or so but this year I'm planning on staying around that area until the early hours of the morning, it's going to be fantastic.

[The Dawg]

Truly magical area of the site. I had to walk round on the Thurs at about 9.30pm as I couldn't wait to get in there and all the new stuff just blew me away.

I never do the Pyramid so it's always about LV and Shangri-la for me, as well as Brothers Bar of course.

[5co77ie]

Wow just been reading about Sky Walks - here's the description of the Sydney one (good job they've scored those extra projectors!

Rise to the challenge and experience Sydney's highest outdoor adventure, with unparalleled views of Sydney. The exhilarating Sydney Skywalk takes you 260 meters (880 feet) above the harbor city - twice the height of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on the tallest structure in Sydney.

The breathtaking 40-minute experience takes you along outdoor walkways and glass-floored platforms extending over the edge of the soaring Sydney Tower. Dressed in protective clothing and safety harnessed to the tower's external walkways, you'll view the glittering city of Sydney beneath your feet from a whole new perspective.

Your expert guides provide fascinating insights about Sydney as you dare to step out over the edge of the Sydney Tower and face Sydney like never before. You'll feel the high-altitude breeze and touch the clouds!

Your Skywalk ticket also includes access to the Sydney Tower Observation Deck and OzTrek, an amazing virtual adventure across Australia. The largest simulated ride in the Southern Hemisphere, OzTrek features 3D holographic technology, 180-degree cinema screens, surround sound and heart-stopping real-motion seating. You'll soar above Sydney's icons, gliding effortlessly...