Following on from Funki Porcini’s spectacular second showing of ‘The Laserium‘ at commonground in Coventry, YT collated something of those synesthetic impressions in an effort to represent the event, knowing full well how far short of the moment these fine videos and images are!
The comprehensive development process at play and arrangement of the whole ‘instrument‘ in the room, contributes immensely to the sense of purpose and excitement shared. Everyone wowed at the array of regulators, switches, gears and rods, the twinkling of cut glass gems in the spin of stepped motors, driven reflectors and cascading cables before the first flickered laser pulse.
Each of the 300 + laser pointers are rated at 3R or below for safety sake. Nobody should be complacent about the dangers of eye damage even at low powers so the safety reminder, to avoid looking into wayward beams, a worthwhile reality check. That said, all the light either deflects off cold mirrors and refracts through cut glass or filters before making it to the huge presentation surface.. eyes forward.
Lights out and we are ‘Off the shoulder of Orion‘. The interstellar shudder of the opening bars and whirl of light teleports us out into the abyss. Alien apparitions sweep the space and are slashed with neon thrills then crushed by beats in crystals of crimson! Each musical theme then sends us further out and up. Next we are ‘Swimming with Eels‘ and crashing through traffic. Bass rolls over and over our disembodied senses that cling to the bent plywood seats as the ride smooths us round shattered landscapes and fettered pathways.
…are we in or out now?
We break for while, standing there pupils stretched, smiles yawning – it certainly is most deluxe. Let’s re-hydrate and touch down for a beat on terra-firma to let that all sink in, percolate, ready to swell over us again.
Delight at the restart, as we drop a gear and head along fresh phases of green and passes of shimmering blue, cascading vibes. Solo alla fine, superstructures of violet synesthesia swamp the place so there is no edge to it! Turning to gauge some perspective, cyan blends and saturates with lush tones and towering textures, red, immersive. When we cut back to the room for an acknowledgement of Ashley Hopkin’s ‘Take Me To It‘ bass line, it’s a reminder how such experience is inspired, extruded, colluded and extraordinary.
Afterglow…
