Category: Arts
Sakura Illumination, light performance art mesmerizes Vancouver crowd
ARON ZHU video
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Hundreds of people blanketed the hill by Sunset Beach last week to watch the Sakura Illumination. They held up cameras, smartphones and small children.
Lanterns hung from the trees and glowed through the pink cherry blossoms as the orange skies behind faded. Chatter and laughter grew as the music started.
LED and patterned video lights zigzagged off the trees and the bodies of two performers.
Light artist Stuart Ward was inspired by the festival scenes he saw in Japan, where people gathered around to watch cherry blossoms light up.
“It’s light-based art,” Ward said. “The modern world is so technology-driven. This art engages people with the technology.”
He said the lanterns changed colour based on the illumination being played. Everything was synchronized and connected, including the people.
A toddler in a green jacket bobbed at the edge of the circle, creeping closer and closer. He and his sibling chased the light for a bit before they were pulled back.
Vancouver actress challenges preconceived ideas at New West Doc Fest
JAZMINECAMPANALE.COM photo
Jazmine Campanale is one of six members of the NOW! Theatre company.
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At the New West Doc Fest tonight, actress Jazmine Campanale will present a performance piece that is “an evolutionary exploration of our society and what we’re doing to help the environment.” It challenges whether advocacy helps or harms.
The performance consists of three characters: the consumer, the activist and the homeless man. The consumer represents sloth. All this person does is consume and contributes nothing but single-use trash.
“The Greenpeace activist is someone who thinks she’s helping by aggressively spewing facts,” Campanale said. “The homeless man is the guy who collects cans for change. He represents the little things people do to make the world better.
Deanna Cheng 