The Arizona Canal flows out of the Salt River and winds its way through Scottsdale and Phoenix before turning to the northwest. It carries critical (and dwindling) irrigation water while offering folks an opportunity to walk, cycle or just relax along the towpath.
A particularly nice stretch runs through Old Town Scottsdale between the galleries, restaurants and high-end clothing shops. Once a year, and only for about a week, the canal becomes the watery canvas for an exhibition of interactive light-based art. The event is called the Canal Convergence. It’s free and a lot of fun.
Most of the exhibits do their best tricks if you interact with them. The challenge can sometimes be figuring out what they want you to do.
This oddly-shaped blue, mirrored thing wouldn’t light up until you stood in front of it. There’s another one like it behind, so lots of reflections of reflections of reflections of…
A guy passed by as I was standing here and said, “It’ll make you sterile.” I told him I’d bring my cat.
This Borg-like cube (Star Trek reference, look it up) did an impressive performance, varying colors, patterns, and intensity based on the music. From the sound of it, there must have been a couple dozen large woofers inside.
Mary Anne really liked these things. She called them “molecules.” You can change their colors and patterns by talking (or grunting or singing or whatever you like) into a microphone.
These TV-like panels sit dark until someone stands in front and makes some motion. Then, who knows what one will display?
I took three photos of the same exhibit to give you a sense of how the colors change. The three “cones” are light-based kaleidoscopes. Knobs on a console change their interior pattern.
Now, about those cute little colored shapes in the water…
Every hour, the rock and roll cranks up and things get a little hot.
Out on the street, things were relatively calm. We liked the illuminated balloons. So did lots of kids.
Fantastic! … especially the illuminated balloons. Thanks for taking us to the canal vicariously.
That is so cool!
MAB says Molecules, I say Glowing Geodesic Globes. I little like a high desert Chihuli display, plus fire!
Great photography, Sir! Love, MEB
We may have to visit next year during the “Canal Convergence”! That’s a pretty unique display.
Hope you are both doing well, wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Cheers.
Come anytime, pal. We’ll miss being with you all for Thanksgiving.
The light fantastic! Reminds me of artist Bruce Monro’s show at the Montalvo Art Center in Saratoga, CA. One can only imagine the wondrous response of the “Molecule” were I to favor it with the dulcet tones of my singing voice. 🙂