The Versatility of Metal Mesh

If you are looking for a unique, stunning, and incredibly versatile drape for your next event, show, concert, stage production, or trade show, you should consider renting a Metal Mesh drape from Rent What? Inc. These drapes can be used in almost any capacity, and have been rented for everything from major concert tours and community church productions to television series to conferences looking for something extra special to dazzle up their stage.

Because these rental drapes are available in multiple sizes, they can be used either as a large backdrop, or more popular lately, as several narrower panels. These rental stage drapes are wonderful for creating a lot of depth and texture in a venue or production that might not have it otherwise. Also, due to the wonderfully reflective and crinkly texture of these lightweight drapes, changing around your lighting can really help give you a very unique appearance to each and every performance, and that even without any special lighting the drapes are going to be absolute show-stoppers.

By using the metal mesh as a large single backdrop, you can create almost any type of look or feel you are going for, and that they complement almost any type of stage design.

And by using it as narrower panels, you can make some very cool and unique production design by creating “negative space” effects that would otherwise go unnoticed.

Next time you are looking for something completely new and fresh for your event, consider renting some Metal Mesh drapes from us—and you’ll see that they will become an absolute hit!

“Magical” Metal Mesh

Earlier this year we were contacted by Jason Bishop, illusionist extraordinaire, regarding our Metal Mesh drapery.   He felt it had just the right look to complement his amazing illusions.  The textures are terrific, and the ability to light it in different colors gives it so much versatility.  After working with Sew What? Account Manager Gwen Winter, Jason chose to purchase a custom 25′ h x 45′ w Metal Mesh Drape, fashioned as a Tear-Away for that quick “magical” reveal.

Well, last week Jason contacted us again to rave about the drape.  He sent us photos of the drape on stage with The Jason Bishop Show.  They’re terrific photos – check them out!

Photo Courtesy Jason Bishop

Photo Courtesy Jason Bishop

Photo Courtesy Jason Bishop

Ringing in the New Year

As the clock ticks closer and closer to 2011, I thought I’d reflect a little on some of the projects that we have worked on this year.  I’d love to post a little bit about all of the projects that we worked on in 2010, but for that I would need to publish a book!  So, instead I’ll just remind you of a few particularly memorable projects.

Large-Format Digital Printing

We printed and sewed so many amazing digitally printed backdrops this year.  A few that come to mind include several gorgeous panels for Brooks & Dunn‘s “Last Rodeo” farewell tour (I love the cowgirl images!), the “Distressed Fleur de Lis” pattern for Little Big Town,  Billy Idol in black and white, and, of course, the beautiful backdrop for Kenny Chesney (third year running).  All beautiful, all unique!

Custom Stage Curtains

Of course, all of the drapery that we make is custom-made according to the client’s specifications, so all projects are interesting and unique.  But some projects really stand out.  The Silver Scrim for Yusuf Islam was so beautiful and quite unusual.  The Alice in Chains project was so cool that I posted about it twice, and of course the drapery in sheers and silvers for Celtic Woman set the perfect ethereal backdrop to their music.

Mixed Media and Specialty Pieces

These are the projects in which we really “think outside the box,” using materials and/or techniques that are just a little bit different from the usual drapery style.  I loved the Metal Mesh frame pieces that we made for James Taylor and the Korn backdrop was an amazing combination of netting, digital printing, and smoke tubes.  And just a few weeks ago – who could forget the American Parachute that we made for Katy Perry?

All of these terrific projects are just a small fraction of the projects we worked on in 2010.  I can’t wait to see what projects come our way in 2011!

Happy New Year, everyone!

Planning a Holiday Show or Event?

It’s hard to believe, but Thanksgiving is past, and the holiday season is starting in full swing.  Now’s the time to think about what custom stage drapes and other soft goods you might need for your holiday show or party.

Need some ideas?   See if these get your creativity going.

That Traditional Christmas Look

Inspiration: David Archuleta’s Christmas 2009 Tour

Specs: Gold Lightweight Velour Drapery, highlighted with festive red bows and large gold balls.  Add Christmas Trees, Wreaths, whatever you can imagine to set that festive holiday mood.

Winter Wonderland

Inspiration: “Silver Satin” and “Delightfully White” specialty drapery from Rent What?

Specs: A variety of Silver Satin drapes, from Austrians to Swags to Borders (and more) combine to evoke a romantic winter scene.  Add a little white with White Voile or Lightweight Velour Drapes, along with twinkle lights and a few snowflakes here and there for sparkle.

An Industrial New Year’s Eve

Inspiration: James Taylor; The Decemberists

Specs: Cool crinkly Metal Mesh gives a great industrial vibe, especially when lighted with spots in different colors.   Think about supplementing the look with stretch shapes, other crushed or textured fabrics in grey, silver and black tones, and metal pieces in a variety of finishes (pewter, silver, stainless steel, chrome, rubbed bronze, etc).

Still stuck for an idea?  Take a look at the Sew What? and Rent What? portfolios and Flickr for loads of inspirational photos and videos.

Rent What’s Specialty Drapery Series

I love the way that Rent What has organized their specialty drapery into different series – “Silver Satin”, “Rockin’ Red”, “Ivory Scene”, “Industrial Textures”, and “Timeless & Traditional.”  And the way that the series are presented on their website is terrific, too.  Next to each series on the page is a list of the various drapery elements available in the series (such as Austrians and Swags), several photos of the drapes, and a link to a pdf “Profile” with more information, photos, and inspiration.

It makes it so much easier for the client – to be able to choose from a variety of custom stage curtains in various fabrics that coordinate together a achieve one cohesive look.  Rather than having to start from scratch, all the customer has to do is review the information and “Profile” file for each series and then select which series best fits the design vision for the show or event. 

From there, in consultation with the folks at Rent What?, the designer can discuss the different drapery options before choosing the specific elements to rent.

Each series includes beautiful custom stage drapes and theatrical backdrops, but the one that I find the most interesting and innovative is the “Industrial Textures” series.  It’s a little more “rock-n-roll,” a little more funky.  It includes elements such as Metal Mesh drapes, Camo Net backdrops, and Texturelite (a gorgeous crushed fabric).

James Taylor’s Metal Mesh on Frames

A client sent us some gorgeous photos recently of a project we worked on last month for James Taylor’s 2010 “Troubadour Reunion” World Tour with Carole King, and I wanted to share them with you.  Last month, we made a number of Texture Panels, utilizing Metal Mesh backed by Black 16oz Commando Cloth, to be attached to specialty frames. 

Photo Courtesy Ralph Perkins / Bryan Leitch

We have made a number of different pieces from Metal Mesh in the past, and the way that it lights so beautifully makes it a favorite of mine, but the addition of the frames has allowed a really interesting and unique presentation. 

Photo Courtesy Ralph Perkins / Bryan Leitch

I love the way the frames are used to add another layer of dimension to the set, and that the overhead pieces make the set more intimate and yet still dramatic and eye-catching.  Just gorgeous!

Want to see more?  Check out this video that includes some great close-up shots of the metal mesh pieces (not to mention James Taylor’s beautiful music!) at a show in Australia last week.

Check out this Metal Mesh photo!

Yes, I know that I have posted about Metal Mesh Drapes on several occasions – obviously I love the beauty and versatility of this material.  But this photo just amazed me – it is from the Decemberists show in June. 

Doesn’t this look like an Impressionist painting?  And the amazing thing is, it is all done with specialized lighting techniques.  The drape itself is Silver Metal Mesh, similar to those in the Industrial Textures Series available in the rental inventory of Rent What? Inc., but with the right lighting – WOW! 

Want to see more on the Decemberists project?  Check out our Rock and Roll Portfolio.

More on Metal Mesh

Back in July, I posted a photo of a cool drape that we made for our sister company, Rent What?, from aluminum mesh.  Well, I thought it was time that I told you more about it.

If you are looking for a cool industrial look, a metal mesh drape is a great option.  It is very dramatic and provides a textured background for effective and unique lighting effects.  It is also available in different tints, giving interesting color and texture even when in an unlit condition.

It is also surprisingly light – a 30′ h x 10′ w leg weighs just 15 pounds (compare that to an unpleated Commando leg of the same size – which weights about 25 to 30 pounds). 

And when you are loading out the show, just push the mesh drape into a hamper – no folding required.  When you get to the next venue, pull it out, hang it, and “fluff it” to size.  After all, wrinkles are not only expected – they’re preferred with a metal mesh drape!

This really is a great option for a tour – as a matter of fact, it was just what legendary rock band Journey wanted for their 2009 tour, and Rent What? was ready and able to provide them.