Alchemy of Light
Alchemy of Light melds 19th century illusionism with current interactive technologies to depict the life of the legendary magician Torrini as a parable of our fascination with technology.
19th century magicians were the early adopters of the technology of their day. Long before their audiences were familiar with electricity and projection techniques, magicians had developed these elements into seductive tools of wonder. Alchemy of Light builds on the archeology of cinema - shadow plays, magic lanterns and optical illusions - to explore the wonder and limits of technology in the things most precious to us.
Ruth Sergel (Director) and Peter von Salis (Dramaturg) are developing the live performance as artists-in-residence at HERE Arts Center. Alchemy of Light had its first work-in-progress showing as part of HERE's Culturemart, January 2009. Alchemy of LIght grew out of my Masters Thesis and has been presented at ITP/NYU and Interactivos? at the MediaLab Prado. Alchemy of Light was presented at the Prelude 08 Festival and is being developed in a residency at the Digital Performance Institute. This project is made possible in part with public funds from the Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council. We are grateful for the generous support of the Schindler Stiftung Foundation and the Experimental Television Center.
Performers: Luigi Coppola, Johanna Levy, Clara Palavesin
Ruth Sergel (Director), Peter von Salis (Dramaturg), Michael Montes (Composer), Erik Friedlander (Composer, Cellist), Loren Bevans (Costume), Scott C Parker (Lighting Designer), Jordann Baker (Aerial Choreographer), Josh Higgason (Sound Design), Karolina Sobecka, Michael Dory, Rory Nugent, Pete McCabe, Pamela Griffiths, Sara Bremen, Kate Hartman (Fantastic Objects), Justin Downs (Magic Sytems Engineer & Fabricator), Valerie Ellithorpe (Stage Manager), Mark Mitton (Magic Consultant), Sean Blue (Object Manipulation Coach), Aichen Lin (Stills), Michael Cole (Animation), AC Harkness (Graphic Design), Paul DiPietro, Jude Calder, Carolina Vallejo, Seth Abramson, Eva von Schweinitz, Magnus Pind Bjerre, Juliette Boulois, Lucia J.Lee.
