Alcove: Blinky Art With A Killer Story

We should come clean right up front. We like blinky stuff, tech art, smoke machines, and dark atmospheric electronic music. This audiovisual installation piece (scroll down) by [supermafia] ticks off all our boxes. As the saying doesn’t really go, writing about site-specific audiovisual art pieces is like dancing about architecture, so go ahead and watch the video (Vimeo) below the break.

But writing words is our duty. So without too many spoilers, here’s what we like about this piece: it’s all about the pacing and introducing one element after the next to keep the viewer interested for the five-minute running time.

Any good story has an arc — starting off simply, then a problem arises that leads to an epic battle, and finally a resolution. Here, it’s the timing of spooky moments and the increasing addition of visual elements that build up over time, to the point that they become almost confusing after 4:10. After that you’re left staring at your own reflection. Sweet.

11 thoughts on “Alcove: Blinky Art With A Killer Story

    1. Consider it inspiration rather than instruction. Not very complex, most HaD denizens should be able to recreate it without breaking a sweat. Will start on my own version as soon as I can clear some space in my party room.

  1. In 2012, I assisted 2 architecture student to complete the following project which they presented in Tokyo for their graduation : https://vimeo.com/44428571
    15 strips of 62 RGB leds (WS2812) each, driven by a Arduino Mega2560, under control of a Windows (DotNet) GUI or any software through a serial link. Around 10 different “effects” were implemented in the Arduino (raindrops, fluorescent blink, random, chase (K2000), heartbeat, breath, …). Each of the 15 strip could run independently one effect or multiple strips could run the same strip in sync.
    Was fun and probably not even a “first” but we designed this “clean-room”.

  2. I used to do show control and automation so I’m kind of picky about things like this and, well, color me impressed.
    Very nicely done, and what a fantastic location for the installation as well!

    Would love to know how the show was built; I’m going to assume it was done on a “real” lighting console… with video mapping perhaps?

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