ER2 presents large-format printing in two acts thanks to our partnership with the Lyric Opera in Chicago. We collaborated with the Lyric in 2014 to create their Don Giovanni exhibit titled “Past to Present,” which celebrated their Diamond Anniversary season. Following the success of that project, the Technical Department of the Lyric came to ER2 for their next exhibit, “Dictated by Fate.”
Based on the Lyric’s production of Mieczysław Weinberg’s The Passenger, “Dictated by Fate” is centered on the Holocaust and the story of Liese, a former SS officer in Auschwitz, who is traveling to her new post. Haunted by her past, Liese thinks she recognizes a fellow passenger, Marta, who was her former prisoner. “Dictated by Fate” also represents Weinberg’s life, as most of his work was “dictated” by the war and tragedy that befell his family.
For this project, it was important to create an exhibit that was presented as both respectful and professional. Showcasing artifacts on loan from the Jewish Museum Milwaukee and the Polish Museum of America in Chicago, the Lyric wanted to create graphics that would best fit the overall reverent mood. To achieve this look, ER2 produced custom graphics printed on KorographicsTM Abaco Beach wallpaper, giving the walls an 
additional slightly gritty texture. To complete the exhibit, rigid signage was also made and printed on a 1/8” black PVC.
Mark Schellerer, Vice President of ER2, managed this project and said the biggest challenge was the timeframe. “Concepts were started in mid-December of 2014 and ready to be installed a month later. The installation itself happened over two days.”
Michael Schoenig, Technical Finance Manager for the Lyric Opera, agreed that the tight deadline was tough, “But Mark and his team at ER2 understood. They worked with us to not only achieve the look for the exhibit, but to meet our deadline as well.”
Beyond meeting the deadline, Michael is pleased with the Lyric’s working relationship with ER2. “They were great to work with; they were professional and able to give us suggestions to get the perfect look and feel for the exhibit. From conception to installation, they are clearly experts at their craft.”
