If you could share a message with the world, or a dream to be projected in lights for all to see, what would it be? Would you wish for world peace or an end to hunger? Would you dream of a chance to tame a real dragon or travel to outer space?
UAB’s Alys Stephens Performing Arts Center (ASC) is creating “Lux Somnia: Light Dreams,” a free digital art and music festival set to be unveiled May 2-3, 2013. For this groundbreaking event, the entire southern façade of the ASC building will be wrapped and transformed into a giant projection screen. An innovative local artistic team, spearheaded by painter, sculptor and digital projection artist Jean-Jacques Gaudel, will use the ASC as a canvas for digitally projected light dreams. Gaudel, along with artists Randy Crow and Joe Walker, will create digital architectural mapping projections designed specifically for the ASC. A dozen local artists, including Crow amd Walker, as well as Liesa Cole, Tony Rodio, Randy Gauchet, Heather Spencer Holmes, Christophe Nicolet, John Scalici, Sarah Heath, Mary Foshee, Adam Stermer and Jessica Simpson will create “Points of Light” installations. There will also be live music by The Blue Galaxy String Project and Juka Tribe featuring Sharrif Simmons and Eric Essix, as well as a digital graffiti wall and more.
The ASC is looking for submissions from the public, a “dream” in 40 characters or less, to be rendered into one of the works of art and projected during the festival. Many in Birmingham have seen the inspiring “You Are Beautiful” messages on buildings and overpasses. Now, share your message with the ASC. Several will be selected and featured.
Submissions will be accepted Feb. 15-March 15. Submissions can be dropped into special light boxes located at ArtPlay, 1006 19th St. South, and at the ASC, 1200 10th Ave. South. The public also may make submissions for consideration by visiting www.AlysStephens.org. Submissions that include profanity will be disqualified. For more details, call 205-975-2787.