BLINK: CCM students create lighting design on 'Insane 51' mural
Lighting Design and Technology students help illuminate the Queen City during BLINK
UC College-Conservatory of Music students are lighting Cincinnati during BLINK, the nation's largest immersive art and light event. Illuminated by ArtsWave, BLINK transforms 30+ city blocks from Over-the-Rhine through Northern Kentucky on Oct. 17-20, 2024.
MFA Lighting Design and Technology student Lucas Inman is the lead designer in creating lighting for the Insane 51 mural, located near 1539 Race Street in the parking lot at the corner of Race and Liberty streets. Inman is working with MFA student Nate Hedges, lighting project manager; BFA student Hayden Valkema, lighting programmer; and BFA student Flynn Wilson, lighting utility. CCM Professors Kevin Lawson and Sharon Huizinga serve as faculty advisors.
Insane 51 mural.
"The project has been an incredible learning experience," Inman says. "It has been a challenging process to apply and innovate the process of creating a lighting design, but to light elements of a 200-ft-wide mural instead of a musical or ballet. Particularly, thinking of ways to turn a two-dimensional image into a three-dimensional experience using only entertainment lighting fixtures."
The Insane 51 mural is painted to react to different colors of lighting — bringing out different elements of the painting. With accompanying music, the student team will transform the mural and its striking character with lighting. There will be a synchronized lighting/music event at the top of each hour during BLINK. 4Wall Entertainment is supplying the equipment and installation for the mural lighting. Locate the Insane 51 mural on BLINK's interactive map.
"The show is an 11-minute mix of tracks selected by me," Inman adds. "The track selection was inspired by elements of the mural, including majority female vocals and lots of references to 'light.' All of the tracks are mashups and remixes to go on a sonic and visual journey with the mural."
"We are enhancing the mural's 3D glasses effect and embracing the simple color palette of red, blue and gold," Inman says. "The show is a designated light show bringing the character to life with light and music. The goal of the piece is to create a high energy environment for people to come together, party and forget about life for a little while."
This isn't the only UC installment during the BLINK festivities — the UC Alumni mural, located near 1404 Vine Street, will also feature a lighting projection. This mural depicts a variety of UC graduates, including CCM alumnus Stephen Flaherty (BM Composition, ’82). The UC Alumni Association commissioned Chroma Projects for mural design and installation and Prestige AV & Creative Services for projection mapping. UCAA collaborated with AGAR, Chroma Projects and Prestige AV & Creative Services. Locate the UC Alumni mural on BLINK's interactive map.
The BLINK experience is designed as a walking event and an opportunity for visitors to explore the city in a new light. The four-day festival will include six zones where guests will be immersed in light projections, light-based installations, new murals, activations, live music and performances and more. These areas include the Findlay Market Zone, Over-the-Rhine Zone, Downtown Zone, Banks Zone, Covington Zone and the Newport Zone.
Know Before You Go
BLINK, Metro and TANK are working together to help viewers experience BLINK more easily and sustainably this year. This partnership will provide free rides and direct access from park and ride locations to BLINK's immersive art experience.
The free rides begin at 6 p.m. each day from October 17-20. All rides on both transportation networks will be free. Direct routes to BLINK will be available via three park and ride locations. These park and ride locations will drop attendees off at the Riverfront Transit Center for both Metro and TANK. TANK will also offer service to the Covington Transit Center.
About CCM Lighting Design and Technology
CCM Lighting Design and Technology’s BFA and MFA programs are guided by a hands-on, experiential philosophy and holistic approach to the entire entertainment industry. We offer students real production opportunities, access to industry standard technology and professional connections through exciting faculty, guests and alumni.
CCM is home multiple performance disciplines: plays, musicals, dance and opera form our active and varied production season. Student opportunities also include film projects like CCM Idea Lab and other collaborations with CCM's Media Production Division. We also have large format projects both in class and out, led by faculty with broad industry knowledge in multiple disciplines like concerts, TV and corporate events. Our opportunities are not just for lighting designers; they are also for programmers, technicians, innovators, media designers and creatives across the entertainment industry.
Additional Contacts
Curt Whitacre | Director of Marketing/Communications | UC College-Conservatory of Music
whitaccp@ucmail.uc.edu | 513-556-2683
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