BLINK To Feature Light Projection Mapping, Animated Murals, Interactive Light Displays and More
Produced by the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Agar, ArtWorks, Brave Berlin, and The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation
CINCINNATI, Oct. 04, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- “Trip the light fantastic” takes on new meaning this fall.
The country’s largest light art event to-date debuts in Cincinnati, Ohio with more than 60 light projection mappings, murals, interactive art sculptures and other light-based displays from Oct. 12-15. Called BLINK, the event spans more than 20 city blocks from the city’s vibrant riverfront through its central business district, illuminating an American city like never before.
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As with popular international light festivals such as Vivid Sydney, Lumiere London and Germany’s Luminale, on which BLINK is based, hundreds of pioneering local, national and international artists have been commissioned to unleash their creativity and immerse event-goers in a magical light-based experience. Buildings will become light spectacles; existing wall murals will come alive through light animation; new murals will be created; and, event-goers will become part of the light through numerous hands-on interactive experiences.
BLINK shines a bright light on Cincinnati’s cultural renaissance with more than $400 million in major arts-related projects culminating this fall and into 2018 including: the renovation of the city’s magnificent 1871 Music Hall; the restoration of the 1933 Art Deco Union Terminal Museum Center; a new multi-million dollar contemporary theater for its Cincinnati Shakespeare Company; and a major expansion of the early 1900s heritage home of the professional company at the Ensemble Theatre of Cincinnati.
“Cincinnati has had a bold artistic vision dating back to the mid-1800s. So, now as the city reimagines and renovates several legacy arts institutions for generations to come, what better way to solidify its creative future than by turning the entire city into one big creative canvas,” said Dan Reynolds, co-owner of Brave Berlin, one of three Cincinnati-based creative companies producing BLINK. “Cincinnati is an incredibly beautiful riverfront city, and, during BLINK, it will feel transformed into a creative wonderland.”
“Part of the phenomenon of light art events is having so many talented artists together in one place all working at the same time. There will be art happening everywhere,” said Andrew Salzbrun, managing partner at Agar, a co-producer of BLINK that secured the street artists in partnership with JustKids. “It is such a privilege to work with all of these artists and to bring this type of grand-scale innovation to life in the United States.”
“What makes light events truly unique and fun for event-goers is that they get to become part of the art. With dozens and dozens of engaging light-based art installations, the city becomes a light-up playground that is fun and inspiring for all ages,” said Tamara Harkavy, CEO and Artistic Director of ArtWorks, a co-producer of BLINK.
Some of the many experiences awaiting BLINK-goers include:
- Buildings of all shapes and sizes aglow through the use of projection mapping, gradient light, neon lights, holographs, lasers and a variety of other lighting effects all created by Cincinnati-based artists. Cincinnati’s National Underground Railroad Freedom Center will depict “What Freedom Means” based on submissions from a nationwide student art contest.
- New murals created for the city by some of the world’s most popular and acclaimed street artists including Roa (Belgium), Bicicleta Sem Freio (Brazil), D*Face (UK), Demsky (Spain), Ana Marietta (Puerto Rico), Ernest Zacharevic (Lithuania), Xylene (Cincinnati) and Saner (Mexico).
- Existing murals throughout the city coming to life via light animation. One of the murals will seemingly have Cincinnati-area native and legendary 1950s singer Rosemary Clooney, Aunt to George Clooney, performing larger-than-life once again.
- A giant, walk-through sculpture and luminarium called Architects of Air that holds light like an aquarium holds water, complete with tunnels and domes for exploring. (Note: There is a $5 charge for this attraction only.)
- Dozens of interactive light installations from a giant Lite Brite board to a glowing pedal-powered sofa, illuminated seesaws that respond and transform when in motion, a light ship, a “pool” of touch pads that display light based on user steps and a 20-foot tall LED peacock, among others.
BLINK runs from 7:15p.m. – midnight each night of the four-night event. All of the art installations are along the city’s new 3.6 mile streetcar route and can also be accessed via foot or the city’s Red Bike bike-sharing system.
BLINK is produced by Cincinnati-based Agar, ArtWorks, Brave Berlin, The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.
Learn more about BLINK at BLINKCincinnati.com. For more information about things to do and where to stay in Cincinnati, visit CincinnatiUSA.com.
Editor’s Note: BLINK Cincinnati press releases, images and video can be accessed via Dropbox here.