Chris Matthews is the founder and CEO of Laser Creations Ltd.

He formed Laser Creations in an ex-foundry building in Barnes, southwest London, back in the 1970's as a result of his involvement with the team of John Wolff and Gerry Leitch et al, providing lasers for the Who, one of the first UK bands to use lasers in their shows.

Chris saw an opportunity to build a business in laser entertainment. With a degree in Physics and Electronics from London University, he was well able to apply his technical knowledge to the design and construction of lasershow equipment. Plus he had a business acumen that encouraged the commercial exploitation of laser shows for companies and organisations. The income generated supported the development of more lasers and associated hardware. This expanded the business, and not least, encouraged new, young enthusiastic employees to learn the trade.

In the 1980's, Chris took over the business of Lasefx, the company that John Wolff had formed initially to run the Who's lasershows, including several of the Lasefx team who had created those early Who shows, such as Gerry Leitch, John Carr and Neil Irwin, plus their workshop at Shepperton Studios just west of London.

Laser Creations supplied lasers to a huge number of applications throughout the 1980's and 1990's, including a separate development of the LVP (laser video projector) which used high-speed polygon scanning and associated techniques to produce high-quality video projection for theatres and conferences. Special versions of the projector were developed at the company to provide laser video and XY laser graphics simultaneously.

Laser Creations provided lasers for many applications in the 1990's. The "rave" culture in the UK at the time was a big user of lasers for the many shows around the country in fields and circus tents for the thousands of enthusiastic participants. By contrast, the company also provided lasers for many large national exhibitions, such as Expo'92 in Seville, Spain and Expo'93 in Taejun, South Korea. In 1997, Laser Creations installed a laser video projector and graphics scanners in Shenzhen for the Hong Kong handover to China, projecting a live video-feed of the ceremony onto a large water screen. At the same time, a 60-watt YAG laser with a 360-degree scanning beam was permanently installed on the top of the nearby 95-story Di-Wang building, the beam being visible up to 50km away.

Throughout all these applications, under the guidance of Chris, the company grew, attracting many creative talents to make exciting laser shows. Since the Millennium, the company, now renamed LCI Productions Ltd. (LCI is "Laser Creations International") continued and continues to provide combinations of laser effects, video projections, water screens and fountains, for theme parks and events around the world. It has also nurtured employees who moved on to create their own laser companies, such as Marc Weber and Ryan Hagan of ER Productions, currently one of the most successful laser companies in the world.

As part of this, LCI provided, free of charge, its studio and lasers for the initial part of the Thames Valley University’s course “Lasers in Entertainment," where students learned the fundamentals of designing and operating laser shows. This generated a very positive reaction from the students. This encouraged TVU to set up its own laser display system and programming stations, which stimulated a number of students to become involved in the industry.

Over the years, LCI has been given a number of industry awards, such as the IAAPA award in 2001 for the Stone Forest visitor attraction in Yunnan Province, China, a large installation with multiple waterscreens, lasers, moving lights and unique illuminated night-time trails through the natural rock-formations of the site.

Chris continues to be an enthusiastic "laser man", still being "hands-on" designing, promoting and setting up lasers with his team for shows all over the world. He is a very amiable and friendly guy, who still has a great creative talent.

Rockne Krebs is one of the few true Artist laserists — meaning that he was widely recognized in the world of art museums, public art commissions and publications.

His name may not be widely known in the 2020s. But back in the late 1960s and through at least the mid-1990s, he was one of the very few fine artists using laser beams in museums and in city-scale public displays.

He also was a technological pioneer. He created the first 3-D (“aerial”) beam displays in 1968. In 1971 he received a patent in seven countries for using bounce mirrors to create such aerial laser displays — a first in the field.

Among his many exhibitions include lasers at the U.S. Pavilion in Osaka at the Expo ’70 world’s fair, city-scale beam displays in New Orleans, Philadelphia, Atlanta (at the CNN Center), Washington, DC, and in California linking the Mount Wilson Observatory with CalTech.

His first laser artwork, “Sculpture Minus Object”, used an argon laser. It was exhibited at the Washington Gallery of Modern Art in 1968. Laser scientist Paul Haldemann said of this piece:

"To me, this was one of the most beautiful sculptures he created. Today one doesn’t appreciate that this was a brand new thing. Engineers would always play with lasers, and shine them through space. But Rockne was the first to make it into an art form.”

Krebs, who earned a 1961 Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Kansas, wanted to learn more. In late 1968 he was invited to be a part of the LA County Museum of Art’s legendary “Art and Technology” program, which paired artists with high-tech companies, scientists, and engineers.

He worked with Hewlett-Packard to develop an optical system with hundreds of parts for the Expo ’70 world’s fair. Krebs said “No one had ever thought about doing something like that. It ran for seven days a week for six months and never failed. What we did with that was the prototype of what would eventually become the laser light show.”

Krebs considered doing entertainment lasers, but decided against it. He said:

“In the early 1970s I made a decision after I realized the commercial potential of what I was working on. I did some soul searching and realized I never wanted to be anything but an artist. There wasn’t any way I could be an artist and pursue the business of a light show company. I never regret that decision.”

He received commissions for his work, fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Guggenheim Foundation, and was a fellow at MIT's Center for Advanced Visual Studies under György Kepes.

He died in October 2011, at the age of 72. Unfortunately, his laser artworks were temporary installations — often site-specific ephemeral works of art. It is not possible today to experience a Rockne Krebs laser artwork. But his art made a strong impact on those who experienced them.

For example, in 1980, Patrick Murphy saw “The Source” in Washington D.C. He still remembers standing at the top of a hill on 16th Street, looking down towards the National Mall towards an argon-green beam shimmering after traveling 3 miles from the Jefferson Memorial, past the Washington Monument, and over the White House. He said:

“The light was beautiful. And only lasers could link these three landmarks plus the Lincoln Memorial. Rockne saw the power, simplicity, and majesty of these immense, ephemeral light sculptures. Along with seeing Laserium and a 1978 laser work by Otto Piene, this helped set me off on my laser light career.”

More detailed information on Rockne Krebs' artistic career, including photos of his work, can be seen at the Rockne Krebs Art Trust website.

Rockne Krebs was an ILDA Individual member in 1996 and 1997.

It is with profound respect and admiration that we posthumously nominate Mark Nath for the ILDA Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing his extraordinary contributions to the laser industry over a distinguished 20-year career. Mark's journey in the realm of laser innovation began at Lightwave International, where his passion for merging technology and artistry first came to light. His pioneering efforts to integrate MIDI instruments with live laser shows set a new standard in the industry, capturing the imagination of audiences worldwide.

Mark's inventive spirit led him to the playa of Burning Man, where his high-powered laser work became the highlight of the event, captivating millions over the course of years, with its beauty and complexity. It was here that his visionary collaboration with the Mayan Warrior art group was born, culminating in the co-founding of MegaLasers. Under Mark's guidance, MegaLasers transformed from a modest boutique operation into a leading global laser production company, boasting operations in 92 countries. This monumental achievement underscored Mark's unique ability to innovate and scale his visions to global proportions.

Throughout his career, Mark Nath was celebrated for his cutting-edge contributions to the laser industry, notably his collaborations with renowned artists like Eric Prydz, The Brooklyn Mirage, the MTV VMAs, to name a couple. His work not only pushed the boundaries of laser technology but also redefined the live entertainment experience, blending intricate laser artistry with music to create immersive safe spectacles.

John J. Zelenka, “Johnny Laser” wrote: I first met Mark in 2012 at the onset of his career in laser technology, where his exceptional ability to balance safety with creativity was evident. He shone in various settings, from TV and movie sets to concert halls and massive festivals, always prioritizing safety without compromising on artistic quality. I remember navigating through a festival crowd with him, impressed by how adeptly he confiscated laser pointers from attendees, ensuring their safety. His approach to problem-solving was exemplified during a show where a nearby Ferris wheel could have interfered with the laser display. Mark's solution was to temporarily shut down the Ferris wheel to avoid any hazards, showcasing his commitment to both safety and show quality. As a New York State Licensed Safety Officer, I've encountered many technicians, but Mark stood out with his blend of technical expertise, talent, and interpersonal skills, consistently ensuring top-notch performances amid chaos. His passing in September 2021 from an accidental fall at home was a profound loss. The venue where he regularly performed still honors him by preserving his chair and credentials. Mark was not only immensely talented but also genuinely likable. His memory endures as we seek to honor his legacy.

Mark's legacy extends beyond his technical innovations; he was a mentor and inspiration to many in the industry. His forward-thinking approach encouraged others to explore the limits of creativity and technology. Whether on a TV or Movie set, concert hall, small venue or a giant festival he never let safety be sacrificed to art. Mark believed in the power of lasers not just as tools for entertainment but as mediums for artistic expression, pushing for advancements that would enable artists and technicians alike to realize their most ambitious visions.

In recognition of his unparalleled contributions to the laser show industry and his role in pioneering new techniques and technologies, we believe Mark Nath embodies the spirit of the ILDA Lifetime Achievement Award. His work has left an indelible mark on the industry, inspiring a new generation of laser artists and technicians to pursue excellence and innovation. Mark's legacy is a testament to the transformative power of combining art with technology, and it is our honor to nominate him for this prestigious award.

The company co-founded by Mark Nath, MegaLasers, Inc., is an ILDA Corporate Level 2 Member for 2024.

I am the Principal Director for EFFECT Laser Systems, a leading laser light show company located in Antalya, Turkey. We have been involved with the laser display industry since 2006. We have made a very large impact on the laser show industry here in Turkey, becoming the country’s leading provider of laser display solutions.

Turkey is a very small country as many of you may know. In our first decade we completely changed the laser business in this country. Through strong marketing, an emphasis on product quality and customer service, and by putting safety and education first, we have grown into the premier laser display organization for this area.

I have been a strong supporter of ILDA. I served on the Board of Directors from Nov. 2011 to Nov. 2022. I helped to bring new members into our organization, to market ILDA and to further promote the need for safe laser display.

I have put a heavy focus on laser safety, and on ensuring that only compliant laser products are sold to consumers in our area, and abroad. I believe this is a vital element that needs to be addressed to ensure the longevity of our industry. Because as our industry continues to grow, the importance of safe laser display applications becomes ever more relevant.

My company is a member of Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and a member of West Mediterranean Exporters Association. Personally, I’m a member of Women Entrepreneurs Council of Antalya Chamber of Commerce and Industry, member of KADEM – Women and Democracy Association (Istanbul) and the KADEM Foreign Affairs Committee, and a member of NGO Committee on the Status of Women.

In March 2023 I was interviewed by MondoDR as part of Women’s History Month, about my work in lasers. The interview is here.

More information is in this document: Effect & ILDA.pdf

Thank you for your time, and for considering me for the Career Achievement Award.

Olga Eser's company, EFFECT Laser Systems Ltd., was an ILDA Corporate Level 3 Member from 2011 through 2023.

Ward Davis co-founded Audio Visual Imagineering Inc. (AVI Inc.) along with 2006 CAA recipient Doug McCullough, and former ILDA President Joanne Young. He is currently President of the company.

Ward joined AVI around 1977 to design and build AVI’s first laser projector and production control console. At that time, there were no instruction manuals and other laser show companies were not willing to share their secrets. Ward provided his electronic expertise, his understanding of projection systems, along with substantial personal and financial investment. He worked tirelessly to build not only AVI’s first professional-level galvo-based laser projector, but also the custom control console for the projector.

That projector, and its successors, put AVI on its path to being one of the top companies in the U.S. laser show business within just a few years. According to Joanne, "Without Ward, there would be no AVI Inc."

Ward has been designing and continually improving laser projectors and lasershow-related technology for 46 years at AVI Inc. Inventions that he made or substantially contributed to include a DSP system that generated magnificent abstracts, pneumatics for special effect filters, the first 360 x 180 laser projector (Omniscan), the first translucent balloon with a laser projector in the mouth of the balloon projecting a 360 x 360 image (Omnistar), encoding 4 xy images with blanking on videotape for recording and playback, using robotics for effects positioning to mention just a few.

His technical foundation laid the groundwork for AVI's 85 ILDA artistic and technical achievement awards from 1988 to 2004 - an average of 5 awards every year AVI entered. In 1991, the ChromaDepth attraction for which Ward designed the laser projector received an IAAPA New Technology Honorable Mention award.

As Joanne notes, "The outstanding aspect of his character is his diligent approach to solving each technical problem which impedes success. He will figure it out!"

Ward's company, Audio Visual Imagineering, is an ILDA Corporate Level 3 Member for 2024.