This is China's show case to the world - - - it's well done but I do have a question or two. What the heck are the musicians sitting on....... invisible chairs? And what about the bells.... how are they suspended...electromagnetic fields???? Click on the link below.
#2. "RE: SHANGHAI WORLD EXPO CLOSING CEREMONY" In response to jmc (Reply # 0)
WoW! Thanks for posting that. I've not seen it before and as Shelly said it was indeed beautiful. No idea what the musicians were sitting on but I did notice that it did not flatten their backsides as one would normally expect if they were sitting on glass or something. Whatever it is does not appear to be creating any pressure points at all.
#3. "RE: SHANGHAI WORLD EXPO CLOSING CEREMONY" In response to Les (Reply # 2)
It would appear to me that they are not sitting at all. Watch the left foot of each woman as they take their places. The foot is placed in a precise place and turned a bit to one side. The heel on the left foot appears to be shorter than the right, suggesting that it is locked into a recess in the floor. Then, they have to be incredible athletes to hold that position that long. I can't even get into that position!
#4. "RE: SHANGHAI WORLD EXPO CLOSING CEREMONY" In response to jmc (Reply # 0)
If you watch the video at 1:05, the pipa players walk to their spot on stage, then place their left heel in a certain place and twist it to lock it in place (while you're watching the guy with the red scarf). At 2:50 you can see some of the rig used to support them on the player on the left's ankle, almost hidden by the flared Elvis pants.
It almost looks like a version of a "racer plate" ski binding that runs the length of the foot. Add some fiberglass or steel supports behind the calf and thigh and you've got an invisible chair. Those musicians look relatively light in weight, so the supports don't have to be bulky.
They can stand and sit upright very gracefully, but the person who started that illusion, a magician from Holland named Ramana has taken it beyond sitting, to appear in an almost reclining position. He has appeared in several airports in Europe reclining on a platform with no visible means of support, to advertise the seating space or extra legroom of some airline, I think KLM. There probably are some Youtube videos of him.
#5. "RE: SHANGHAI WORLD EXPO CLOSING CEREMONY" In response to jmc (Reply # 0)
The flying dancers convinced me that they also were supported by cables. Or magic.
Ethan
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. "Why shouldn't the American people take half my money from me? I took it all from them." - Edward Filene