DAV Bernard:
Freelance AV Designer and Technical Director
based in Glasgow

info@DAVbernard.co.uk
+44 7930 846255

   

I specialise in audiovisual design (content creation, technical setups and operation) alongside lighting, screen and sound design for a video-focused approach to set design. I also provide consultancy and technical services for live productions (theatre, concerts, clubs, and circus) and video installations. This ranges from touring shows of all scales and multi-screen mapping projections to cost effective solutions for artist projects.

in 2018 i co-founded Megahertz scenography (with long term collaborator Bex Anson), a visual theatre company that meshes digital technology, new music and choreographic practice across experimental dance, street dance, aerial and ground based circus.
MHz is currently my main focus with 6 funded shows produced, touring and award winning.

MHz website

I previously provided my services under PointlessAV

Clients have included: Opera North, Quaternaire, The Tiger Lillies, The Arches, Scottish Opera, National Theatre of Scotland,Vox Motus, National Review of Live Arts, Glasgow International Festival, Glastonbury, Ankur, Timerous Beasties, British Fashion awards, Teenage Cancer Trust.

 

(2016)
www.VOID.org.uk

Dance+AV show combining MeleBroomes gymnastic infused choreography with video landscapes created from obsolete hardware feedback. Visuals, set and sound design. Currently booking for theatre and site-specific presentations.
Comissioned by Tramway
supported by Creative Scotland
Total Theatre Award 2018


 

(2016)

For NVA's Hinterland, I designed a ceremonial performance using hand-operated powerful arc lighting and stencil manipulation to map the vaults of the iconic St Peter seminary.
Selected for Scottish events Awards 2016.

 

    

(since 2007-2015)
www.basslinecircus.org

I was the visual director for a high-octane circus and 3000 capacity bass music venue at major european festivals. I design the video mapping and create/operate the visuals. Working between the set designers, show directors and venue managers, I supervise the visual integration of the video, lighting, laser and sculpture elements with a close knit team of artists.

  

(since 2010)
www.circolombia.com/shows/urban/

I produced the visual content (location footage, motion graphics and model making) and bespoke lightweight touring projection system for Urban. During the international tour (UK/ FR/ DE/ NL/ USA/ OZ/ NZ/ AR/ BR/ DK/ HU) i operate the visuals and sound whilst mixing the audio.
I designed the AV for their latest show VEST-GIOS (2021)

 

   
Working with producers, technical teams and artists, I specialise in show planning and delivery for events with specialised AV and lighting requirements, and also work with sound, logistics, rigging and CAD. I have extensive knowledge of international touring in major theatres, outdoor festivals as well as site specific productions.
Current projects:

(2012-2020)
www.tigerlillies.com

I am the AV+Lighting Technical Director for 5 large scale video shows with renkown punk-cabaret band The Tiger Lillies: Rime of the Ancient Mariner/ Lulu/ The Haunted Palace/ Corrido de la Sangre/ Last Days of Mankind
I am responsible for all pre-production (including CAD) and equipment sourcing, supervise the get-in by the local tech team and operate both video and lighting. Over 40 gigs in major festivals in FR /DE / USA/ UK/ OZ/ NZ/ SP/ NO/ KR/ LT/ EL/ LU.

   
The visuals for these shows were created by Mark Holthusen who also co-directed these pieces. I developed the projection system and designed the technical touring setup for a single AV+lighting operator, enabling ultra-lightweight touring.

(since 2009-2015)
www.85A.org.uk

Working as part of a provocative multidisciplinary collective of 12 artists, we have produced 20 immersive and site specific theatrical shows with critical acclaim and a major commission from the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth games cultural program. My roles includes design, production, technical coordination, project management, documentation and web.

    
     
   
(1999-2009)
pointlesscreations archive

I was the lead artist for this Glasgow-based VJ and AV artists collective with over 150 appearances in clubs and music/media/arts festivals worldwide. Specialised in content creation, video installation and live manipulations for a range of radical electronic musical styles.

Selected in the 150 most influential practitioners in Dfuse's “AV+VJ culture” book (2006).

During 2000-2008, I was involved in several arts and music organisations producing events in Glasgow including: Radar (Clubnight 2000-2004) and The Chateau (Artists studios 2002-2006). in 2004 I co-directed and produced the Machinista “arts+technology” festival , the event featured 30+ international artists performances selected from over 250 online entries. I curated the free-to-download Machinista DVD
2006-2010 working with Lowsalt artist run gallery, since 2009, I have been producing events with 85A Collective.

  


During product design degree (1994-96) I built a series of experimental electro acoustic instruments and MIDI controllers for stage performances. These included a Skitar, a Sound Bin, a MIDI hoover and digital drums made from a car wheel or a traffic cone under the name the Sound Surgery (1995-2000)

in 1998, I teamed up with Ben Smith to build the SKINS (digital hand drum) which received a Millenium award and funding to be developed as a production prototype.

  
     

2001-2002: MsC electronic imaging, Duncan of Jordanstone College – Dundee
1994-1996: BEng Product design engineering – Strathclyde Uni – Glasgow
1991-1992: BsC Applied Chemistry – Glasgow Polytechnic
1989-1991: DUT mesures Physiques – IUT d'Orsay – Paris
1986-1989: Science Baccalaureate – Lycee Maurice Ravel – Paris
1975-1986: primary/secondary school – Paris
Born: 1971

Fluent in: French/ English/ Spanish