Projections of the Past

What a great night!  the event attracted about 300 people and received much favourable comment.  The threatening rain did not arrive.
Thanks to Brad And Steve for your support and assistance,  and Greg as well.

The 'Projections of the Past' project was initiated by the Bundaberg City Council.  I was engaged to develop the project. It was part of the celebrations of Bundaberg  becoming a city one hundred years ago.  The event was held in the Bundaberg CBD at Buss Park.

On the evening I had both the historical video and a second video playing in different areas of the park.  The Boardgames video I produced a couple of months back.

I'm so happy that things went well and I had some wonderful comments from so many folk.

Dinner out with friends topped off a brilliant day.   cx

Above:  My good friend Brad(Right) and new friend Steve.  They helped me so much.  Below is a still looking at the historical projection on the brick wall. Also below is a very short video that captured images of both projections.

 

 

Bundaberg Centenary celebrations

Saturday night will be a momentous occasion for me, as I will be presenting  Projections of the Past: a selection of historical photographs from the Library  archives.

These images will be projected onto the side of the Civic Centre, which coincidentally was the site for the first projection Brad and I did two or three years ago.

I have been having problems again with the video hanging soon after it starts... and I get a black screen. .  I think it's because my Apple, and Adobe Photoshop gear doesn't want to mix with Windows Movie Maker.  However, I seem to have converted the file to a Quicktime movie and things are going along nicely at present.

It would be more sensible for me to stick with one editing program, but each of the three programs I use have their own unique features.  I use Windows Movie Maker for very simple videos, Adobe Premiere and Movie Plus6 .  Of the three I find MoviePlus 6 the most user-friendly, and it has more features.

Tomorrow I just have to join a few film clips together and I will be ready for  the showing.

I am hiring a larger projector for this occasion. 5500lumens will be better than the 3500 lumens of my projector.

I'm happy that Brad is on deck for this presentation.  He is very resourceful and will be an asset, should there be any dramas....and of course he is funny, and  a good friend.

There is the possibility of rain on Saturday evening, in which case, we will move into the Civic Centre.  The show must go on!!! I hope you can be there.  cx

Attached is a picture  of one of Bundaberg's beautiful old buildings, that has been converted to a backpackers facility.

Beautiful Brisbane

Even more news from The Edge

My week has been filled with long walks to The Edge…down by the river, where the 'Biomechanical Pelicans' live. Long spiky lizards abound there in the scrub, watching your every move…still as statues unless you come too close. Kids call them 'Frillys', though there is nothing Frilly about them. They should be called 'Spikys'.  I like lizards. As I child I used to keep Blue Tongued lizards.  I was a strange child.

The river is full of charming River Hoppers… small  ferries that you  can hop on and off at various docks along the Brisbane River.  The big City Cats (catamarans) glide silent and serene across the glistening water against the big city backdrop and rugged cliff faces.   I feel the temptation to paint those cliff faces, but immediately dismiss that idea as ridiculous…I am no longer  a painter.

River noises are muted by the never ending drone of traffic.  It spoils the ambience of this otherwise  picturesque scene.  There is the constant sound of heavy breathing of the ubiquitous joggers  as they pound the  riverside pavements in droves, intermixed with the ardent lycra clad streamlined helmeted bike riders, who all appear to be training for the Tour de France.  One must be as alert as a lizard on and around the bikeways or one is likely to get skittled!!

Seriously though, the Southbank walk and bikeways are a great asset and allow for interesting outings…and I love Brisbane.

Days at The Edge can swing between great and frustrating.  Great when I have learnt something new.  Frustrating when I realise how much I don't know.  I will persevere.    c x

 

Amon Tobin

  

Check out that link to see a most amazing projection extravaganza!    cx   Thanks to Dan Cook for showing this video last week.

More news from The Edge

Tuesday was a treat for me. The morning, I spent sampling some of the many software programs available for people to use.  Top of the range versions…..so intimidating!  Illustrator, Dreamweaver, Final Cut Pro, After Effects and so on.   The computer screens are completely covered in icons.
It made my day when I was able to rotate an object across the screen in Adobe After Effects!!!

In the evening, I was able to attend a wonderful lecture by Dan Cook, who has created projections for the Opera House,  Vivid and many other amazing projects.

Dan showed us some videos of the outstanding projects that people around the world have done.  So inspiring!


Dan told us the history to date of projections and also provided some very useful practical advice too.
This lecture is to be followed up by a couple of workshops, where we will be building prototype laser projectors, for mapping small objects.

I can see where my art practice is heading!

On the occasional evening that I am home early in the evening,  this is the view of Brisbane that I am fortunate to enjoy from my son's apartment by the river.  

Sometimes I think I am dreaming!!!


Till soon,      Cx

The Edge

Sunday morning arrived and I had the short flight to Brisbane.  I was curious to  see from high up in the air,  if the rivers were still muddy brown,  churned up as they had been by recent flooding.  The land is very forgiving it seems, because all appeared  to be in order.....for now.

Silver spangled rivers gently meandered towards a sparkling sea on a glorious Queensland morning. 'Beautiful one day-perfect the next.' as the saying goes.

On Monday, my first meeting was with the the Edge's boss, Daniel Flood, after 12, so I had arranged to meet the very talented photographer, Keith Carey in the morning.  We had a very nice time sipping our coffees on the river bank, and chatting about the possibilities of Keith  exhibiting at Dirty Linen some time in the future.

(That upside down elephant sculpture is growing on me.)

In the afternoon, Daniel gave me the grand tour of The Edge's brilliant facilities, which include everything a technology geek like myself could possibly dream of, from a huge room full of massive Apple computers, to sound studios, to auditoriums and so much more.  All accessible to  the public at very little , or no cost.   Their goal, simply stated, is to promote new technologies and also to support scientific endeavour..

Daniel and I discussed  what was possible for The Edge to provide for me in the way of tuition.  the outcome of that meeting was very positive, and I will come away a great deal more skilled than I have been in the past.  This is a wonderful opportunity for me, thanks to 'The Edge', and the Flying Arts organisation.

I am keen to catch up with Flying Arts Jenny Jones and co soon.

More news tomorrow.       cx

Off to Brizvegas!!

I will be on an early flight to Brisbane tomorrow, to start my residency at The Edge on Monday.  It is going to be an exciting fortnight.

I have spent the day on the computer as always.   I am trying to  finalise  my video for the Bundaberg Centenary celebrations   which will occur a few days after my return from Brisbane.....cutting it fine!

The video is coming along quite nicely.  I have had to access the library archives for this project.  Much of the historical material has been damaged even before it has been recorded, which is a shame.

Anyway, I will have to make do. I will let you know how things go in Brisbane.


Talk art soon.  cx