On various occasions in the past, the Ernst Abbe Tower in Jena has been bathed in light for a few minutes several times in the evening. Various short projections have enriched Jena's cultural offerings as a city of light.
For the Long Night of Science, we offer you a special performance to join in:
"Currents": activity of water on the facade of the Ernst Abbe skyscraper
In an analog live performance, "Currents" combines visual forms with movements to create a feeling of weightlessness. The activity of water is made tangible on a large scale by adding drops of color and projecting them onto the facade of the Jenoptik high-rise. Swirls and currents create a surreal play of colors, which is fluidly accompanied by music in ebbing and flowing motifs. During the performance, the audience can become active themselves or allow themselves to drift and completely surrender to the spectacle.
- Idea and realization: Roman Heller (Berlin), Karl Rollwagen (Leipzig)
- Artistic assistance: Ben Hen (Sinsheim)
- Technical assistance: Rico Maier (Dresden)
- Projection: LEC Laser Event Company (Eibenstock)
- Duration of performance: 6 hours (from 6 pm to midnight)
The stage is located in front of the Volkshaus with a view of the Ernst Abbe skyscraper.
The images are transmitted via a video system permanently installed by LEC GmbH from Eibenstock. The 2D and 3D lighting effects adapted to the façade come from state-of-the-art laser projectors. These effects are known as video mapping, a combination of imaging and mapping.
Building facades in particular offer a suitable projection surface for this, on which projection and facade combine to create a realistic-looking image fiction. By skillfully using the software, protruding parts of the building, ledges and windows can be made to disappear or blend in.
The use of a precisely fitting projection template is the basic prerequisite for video mapping and the main difference to conventional beamer projections.