“Luna” is the name of the new St Prex Classics stage infrastructure inaugurated on August 23, 2012.
Building on its rapid expansion, the St Prex Classics wanted to set itself the ambition of opening the event to a wider audience, while retaining its sumptuous natural setting that is the Old Town. The challenge consisted of integrating this listed medieval monument into a contemporary extension which remains open but which can be covered if necessary, and which maintains this intimate and extraordinarily stimulating atmosphere for the artists.
The artistic DNA of St Prex Classics is based on multidisciplinary creation and the development of the most promising young talents. This stage infrastructure should therefore, to suit the vision of the festival, be able to offer more space to the artists, which will allow young talents to evolve by playing with a large orchestra, and dancers to produce technically advanced performances even when sharing the stage with musicians.
The Old Town of Saint-Prex is classified as a national heritage site, which makes this project a real challenge, both technical and complex. To meet this immense challenge, St Prex Classics sought to enlist the collaboration of a partner who matches its ambitions. Given its geographical proximity and the expertise of its laboratories, EPFL was an obvious choice to take on this complex challenge alongside St Prex Classics, given its immense reputation.
In collaboration with EPFL, St Prex Classics designed “Luna”, an ideal solution as the harmonious coherence between technological innovations and historical heritage is perfectly respected. This ephemeral stage infrastructure is both innovative and in total symbiosis with the old stones of Saint-Prex, a natural setting which remains entirely visible during the shows.
Luna has also become the architectural emblem of an entire region. The new structure not only accommodates around 750 spectators for the St Prex Classics events, but also attracts a curious public, who come in large numbers to admire this revolutionary wooden arena, whose geometry is modeled on that of the theater of Epidaurus.
Luna has undoubtedly brought a new dynamic to the St Prex Classics festival. The Festival is poised to become THE cultural and artistic event at the end of summer in the Lake Geneva region, revitalizing the entire region around Saint-Prex. The public authorities (municipality of Saint-Prex, ARCAM and State of Vaud) were not mistaken, and all decided to generously support the growth and professionalization of the event.
Vale International SA was the first main partner of the St Prex Classics when it was created in 2006, and today, as the main partner of Luna, Vale allows the St Prex Classics to take on a whole new dimension. By choosing to support such an emblematic project for the region, Vale wishes to work “to leave a lasting and cultural legacy for future generations” according to Renato Neves, President of Vale International SA.
Hazeline van Swaay, founder and President of the Festival, says she is “delighted that an international company of the stature of Vale, based in Saint-Prex, is making the growth of St Prex Classics possible. Vale is sending a strong signal, and, I hope, will encourage other economic players to do the same for the development of the region.”
Communications on Luna:
- 2012 – LUNA St Prex - News EPFL.
- 16 August 2012 – "Luna" has arrived in St-Prex - News EPFL.
- August 16, 2012 – Spectacular installation of the St Prex Classics moon - Tribune de Genève
Photomontages ©Studio Tanuki
Photos ©Gregory Batardon
Plan de coupe ©EPFL/ALICE
