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Esteban Tosta lights Maluma with Elation

Esteban Gil Arcila, professionally known as Esteban Tosta, has risen to become a well-recognized reference in the lighting design community of South America. Working alongside stars like Colombian singer Maluma, he turns to Elation’s new lighting technology to fulfill his clients’ vision.

At 38 years old, Tosta has travelled a path full of challenges and learning experiences, from small youth parties known as “minitecas” (mobile music and light events very popular in Colombia), to illuminating the world’s biggest stages for talent like Maluma. His relationship with the Elation brand goes back over a decade. He says that the influence of lighting technology is essential in his design process.

“Every show we imagine is tied to the type of equipment we use”, shares Tosta. “That’s why the constant innovation of brands, offering new equipment and fresh ideas, is key. This not only facilitates the design but also allows for testing and experimenting with new setups, which boosts confidence when integrating them into the riders.”

Early in his career, working for one of Medellín’s biggest production companies, Genesis Producciones, gave him the chance to work with international artists before eventually venturing out as a freelancer, which opened doors to new opportunities. One of the key moments in his career came when he began working with Maluma, who was just starting to rise to stardom at the time. As Maluma’s fame grew worldwide, Tosta became a key part of his team. Not only did he design the lights, but he also got involved in video, special effects, and even took on the role of general producer for a year.

“My focus has always been to make him look impeccable, both for those who see him up close and for those who see him on the screens”, explains Tosta whose collaboration with visual director Camilo Mejía has been essential to achieving the cohesion between the lights and the visuals displayed at each show.

For Maluma’s most recent show, Tosta chose a variety of Elation fixtures - Proteus Maximus, Proteus Excalibur, Proteus Rayzor 1960, Pulse Panel FX, Sol I Blinder, and Chorus Line 16. One particularly impactful moment during Maluma’s show came in the final stretch, when Tosta decided to maximize the power of the 100,000-lumen Pulse Panel FX. “This not only enhanced the atmosphere of the song but also created a play of shadows and shapes that highlighted the musicians and dancers on stage”, he says.

(Photos: Carlos Alvar/Elation)

www.elationlighting.com

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