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Superstar Beyoncé blasted onstage for the Super Bowl XLVII half-time performance with special effects, huge sound and pyrotechnics that many suspected had blown the circuits of the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The live performance setting designed by Tribe Inc. called for an air-powered 120-by-60-foot fabric recreation of the singer’s hair. Doron Gazit of Air Dimensional Design Inc. (AirDD), North Hollywood, Calif., brought his company’s expertise in air-inflatable event displays to the task of doing Beyoncé’s hair.
“The first thing we did was look at fabrics,” says Gazit, looking for something light, pliable and flame-retardant. Trial runs ensured that the fabric would deploy rapidly without any air pockets. AirDD used a basketball court to cut the massive fabric panels. A mix of 50 fans installed on the outskirts of the stage helped the fabric to achieve wave-like motions and act as a projection screen. Set-up and rehearsals began 15 days before the Super Bowl performance, allowing AirDD and Beyoncé to get the look and sound picture-perfect.