BLINK CINCINNATI
// BLINK CINCINNATI
A FESTIVAL OF LIGHT & ART.
CINCINNATI, OHIO // 2024
DREAM CYCLES : THE ART OF DREAMING
BLINK is a biennial celebration of public art and light in the urban core of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. We were selected to be one of the featured artists for its fourth edition, from October 17th to October 20th, 2024.
The project pitch was reviewed by a Curatorial Advisory Committee and the BLINK production team, represented by leaders of AGAR, Cincy Nice, Ish Festival, and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber.
The proposed visual themes were selected as a great fit for Cincinnati’s historic American Building.
| IMAGES : NorthHouseCREATIVE VISION & ART DIRECTION
When we dream, our mind becomes the artist and problem solver, taking us on a surreal journey through dreamscapes formed from our experiences to solve and heal our emotions. The American Building plays host to our mind, transforming into vibrant collage dreamscapes that mechanically shift and cycle through worlds to connect the pieces and resolve our inner challenges.
This art installation illustrates the pure creativity of our dreams and invites viewers to explore their own experiences.
| IMAGES : NorthHouseTECHNICAL IMPLEMENTATION
We employed a variety of technical processes to celebrate the architectural elements of the building.
We started with a transformation of the building surface, which contorts and breaks down into vertical sliding slats, representing the shift from reality to the dream world. The dreamscapes are each contained within the building’s architecture, subtly recessed to create a sense of physical depth that mirrors the complexity of the brain’s inner workings in our subconscious. In each transitional moment between these dreamscapes, we see glimpses of the building architecture, which reflect the mind’s ability to process and interpret our dreams in interaction with reality.
After modelling the entire building in detail, we created a less detailed version to enable architectural animation. Using this simplified model, we generated FT UVW maps, a process that uses RGB colours to map 2D compositions onto a 3D object. By employing EXR passes, we could make the 2D compositions feel fully three-dimensional.
An exploratory piece of audio accompanies the visual experience, piecing together heart and breathing rhythms with an abstract hubbub of vocal layers sampling people's dream experiences.
CREATIVE DIRECTION.
VISUAL DESIGN.
PROJECTION MAPPING.
Huge thanks to all the BLINK organisers and a special shout-out to Justin, Ben, and Noor for the outstanding work!
// TEAM
CLIENT: BLINK
EXEC. PRODUCER & DIRECTOR: TOM BAIRSTOW
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: CHRIS GAUGHRAN
CREATIVE LEAD: DANA COULING
PRODUCER: LAURA CLARK
ART DIRECTOR: ROXY SILVERWOOD
MOTION DESIGNER: LUKE HEATHCOTE
MOTION DESIGNER: LIAM GILHEANY
MOTION DESIGNER: ASH KAYSER
BLINK TEAM:
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: JUSTIN BROOKHART
CREATIVE TECHNICAL DIRECTOR: BEN NICHOLSON
PROJECT COORDINATOR: NOOR ESSAKALLI
MUSIC COMPOSITION: TOM BAIRSTOW
