AIMAG 2017 Opening Ceremonies
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
The Olympic Committee selected Balich Worldwide Shows to produce the opening ceremonies for the Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games, Sept. 17 in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan.
AIMAG 2017 Opening Ceremonies
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
The event is the largest in the Central Asian region, Balich says.
AIMAG 2017 Opening Ceremonies
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
“The Spirit of Turkmenistan” Opening Ceremony of Ashgabat 2017 was held at the newly built Ashgabat Olympic Stadium. The 45,000-seat venue, located at the center of the Olympic complex, is one-of-a-kind facility designed to leave a long-lasting legacy for Turkmen sports.
AIMAG Opening Ceremonies
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
The set features a dramatic cylinder placed in the center of the stadium, functioning as a source of energy for the show. It represents the “core” of the nation.
Performers get rolling
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
Entertainment included 7,631 performers--2,102 professional performers (dancers, singers, musicians), 5,475 volunteers,
54 children, and 14 headline talents.
Welcome to Turkmenistan
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
The international Balich team (from 39 different countries), as well as the Turkmen creative colleagues, and a cast of thousands invited the competitors to discover the very soul of the nation by revealing its spirit, symbols, history and art.
AIMAG 2017 Opening Ceremonies
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
Francisco Negrin, BWS creative director, says: “This resilient nation is nurtured by a land on which so many great civilizations have overlapped, and where commerce has flourished from east to west along the Silk Road. Here, today, all of Asian sport is congregating to celebrate the Ashgabat 2017 Games.”
The power of the 'core'
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
The central ring--measuring 30 meters in diameter, suspended in the air 30 meters above the field of play--is a complex set of catenary cables spanning the length and width of the venue. It is also the screen for massive projections and the support for aerial performers.
Lighting shines
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
A stunning light show from Balich.
Giant chessboard
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
Horse and riders make their entrance
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
Horse and riders make their entrance.
Giant horse appears
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
A giant horse appears (at left).
The 'core' serves as projection surface
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
The "core" serves as a screen for massive projections, as well as support for aerial performers.
It takes a team
Photo by Luca Parisse for Balich Worldwide Shows
The creative team: Marco Balich, executive creative director; Francisco Negrin, creative director; Gianmaria Serra, executive producer; Laura Cappelli, ceremony producer; Pierre Mussche (Musicom), music director; Bryn Walters, live action director; Silvia Aymonino, costume designer; Julian Hill, artistic producer; Stefania Opipari, creative producer; Charles Darby (Clonwerk), projection designer; Durham Marenghi, lighting designer; Christophe Berthonneau, pyro designer; Ivan Manzoni, aerial director; Andrea Faini, scenic and props designer; Patrick Ledwith, head of production; Carl Gosine, technical director; Angela Saroglou, deputy director; Stufish Entertainment Architects,
set design.
