Imaginarium — Peterborough Public Library (15min. 2018) Produced, directed and conceived by LA Alfonso with music and animation by Sherine Cisco with mix/sound design by Michael Philipps.
Imaginarium is a large-scale video projection mapping work that transforms the front windows of the main branch of the library with light and imagination. Imaginarium invites passersby into new worlds and adventures, like those provided by the books on library shelves. Creating moments of unexpected, immersive, and ambient encounters, with music and animation by Sherine Cisco and sound mix/design by Michael Phillips, this mirage plays with ideas of individual memory and public architecture. It is a temporary, site-specific, multimedia event that will make a lasting impression on all who manage to catch a glimpse.
Artsweek Peterborough
For a week in September 2018, the newly constructed main branch of the Peterborough Public Library was mine to transform for Artsweek. I explored the idea that an Imaginarium must somehow be like a cage to “imagination” itself, so I felt the need to anthropomorphize the prisoner — somehow make it a character. It was a character that had the ability to transform into anything. I had lots of help to make this happen. Maybe next year on Halloween, we can do something different on the library windows. Today, I’m publishing this edit for the first time, and I’m including a bunch of extras like tests and other videos to reveal the process. I’ll continue uploading from my video vaults when I get a chance. Thanks for all of your support. Much love, LA
Excerpt from the Director’s Statement published in September 2018.
Utilizing multiple projectors and rear projection screens, I’ve created an original movie that has to be specifically video-projected on part of the building itself or the effect would not really work. I was walking by the library one day just as the new design of the building was being unveiled to the public. When I set eyes on the architecture, it reminded me of an aquarium. And then, I thought, perhaps the library is an “aquarium” for the imagination — so, it must be an Imaginarium. When the call out for art proposals came for Artsweek 2018 with the theme “Art in Unexpected Places,” I felt compelled to write up a project that explored the theme of books and I started to imagine what an “Imaginarium” might actually look like conceptually. I used tracks from the groundbreaking album Amanita (1980) by the incredibly talented Sherine Cisco. As an accomplished 3D animator, Sherine also created custom 3D animation for the project that effectively replaces the front room of the library with a virtual room where we imagined surreal events taking place. Watch for giant spiders and alien worlds. The sound got the sweet treatment by amazing sound designer/mixer Michael Phillips and it will be broadcast on an FM frequency that goes together with the video — tune in to 91.5FM while the video installation is happening.
The Peterborough Examiner did a feature and took pictures at the Artsweek Opening.
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