Jan 30

Dorothy Tanner, born 103 years ago today

photo of Dorothy Tanner by Jeff Nass

 

Dorothy Tanner (1923-2020), the late co-founder of Lumonics and recipient of the Denver Mayor’s Award for Innovation in the Arts, was born on Jan. 30, 1923, 103 years ago today.

“The major challenge for me in art is to keep under control the tyranny of a logical mind. The spirit that moves me is capricious, unruly and irreverent. Most of my work grows out of intuitive impulse–the rest gets underway by just playing.”
– Dorothy Tanner
Remembrance of Dorothy 

The following was written on Facebook, and we were all deeply touched by this, especially Dorothy:

“The artist who creates these pieces is so charming and fun. She was born around the time of the Depression, but her work will do anything but. Her pieces are created using acrylic plastic which is manipulated using heat. The led lights she uses are carefully selected to ensure they play off, and with the sculpture. She loves color and the combinations she selects always ensure the piece still has a fun, sometimes whimsical, and interesting story to tell. If you ever have a chance to see one of Dorothy’s art gallery openings, you will never look at art the same. Lumonics Light & Sound Gallery is the place where an artist can find inspiration and everyone else can become consumed within it.”
– Mandi S.

Lumonics Light & Sound Gallery
Denver, CO
www.lumonics.net

Dorothy Tanner in one of her Lumonics Mind Spas

 

Letter from former Mayor Hancock upon Dorothy’s passing in 2020

Jan 28

Our Visitors from Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver

We enjoyed our visit today from Sarah Weigal and Regina Martinez-Gonzales of Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. We look forward to hosting our field trip for Club members.  Sarah posted the following on LinkedIn.
Sarah also included the Lumonics LinkedIn post about our field trip program:
 
View Sarah (Call) Weigel , MSEd’s graphic link

Walking through the space and discovering how light, sound, and movement come together to spark imagination was truly inspiring. We left energized by all the ways this kind of immersive creativity could expand what’s possible for Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver members by exposing youth to new and diverse forms of art that stretch how they see, feel, create, and learn.

We’re so excited about the potential to bring this kind of creative, sensory-rich experience to our members and explore how art can open new doors for expression, curiosity, and joy.

Thank you both for sharing your vision and your space with us!

 
——
 
View Barry Raphael’s graphic link
 
Educators in Denver Metro:
The Art of Seeing Field Trip at the Lumonics Light & Sound GalleryThe field trip is an innovative approach to art and creativity outside of the classroom. The intent is to encourage students to exercise their imaginative powers and be inspired to go further in their endeavors. The theme is “The Art of Seeing” and blends art with technology.Studies at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine have shown that the arts and aesthetic experiences measurably change the brain, body, and behavior and that these practices advance health and wellbeing.
https://lnkd.in/g5EpRvu9

Lumonics, among the first and longest-running light art projects in the U.S., provides a unique setting that offers a blend of artistic heritage, innovative installations, and a dedication to introducing this evolving art form to students of all ages from kindergarten through high school.

While the field trip can benefit every curriculum, it has specific application for:
Art – the introduction of an art form involving several disciplines
Science and Mathematics – an art form that utilizes technology including lasers, electronics, video art, and LEDs
Language Arts – an opportunity for expression, both orally and in writing
History – a 21st Century art form

Lumonics meets all of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines.
Lumonics is a Community Partner with Denver Public Schools.

More info:
https://lumonics.net/field-trips/

Jan 24

Culture Hopping with the Biennial of the Americas at Lumonics!

Lumonics truly enjoyed hosting the January Culture Hop of the Biennial of the Americas which is based in Denver, CO. Attendees were very appreciative of the light art and the min-documentary/immersive performance we created for them. Thanks to The Biennial for the Instagram photos!

 

 

#BiennialoftheAmericas #Denver #Colorado

 

Dec 25

How We Create the Visuals and Music at Lumonics Immersed

The source material for the projection comes from an archive of imagery that late artists Dorothy and Mel Tanner originated at the Lumonics Light and Sound Theatre in Miami in 1969, and continues to this day in our performances of Lumonics Immersed here in Denver. The Tanners’ light sculptures also play an important role. We think of the art pieces as the “Lumonics Light Orchestra”.


Here are some of the components of the projection:

1. Hand-painted 35 mm slides by Dorothy and Mel Tanner, a process that began in 1969 in the original Lumonics Light and Sound Theatre in Miami, FL and ended upon Mel’s death in 1993. Hundreds of these slides are in our archives and have been digitized. Here are some examples:

 

 

2. Lumonics video productions from 1978 until present that included the late Dorothy Tanner, Mel Tanner, and engineer John Hall, and Marc Billard who continues the productions at Lumonics Immersed and orchestrates the Lumonics Light Orchestra live.

3. Colorado car rides and hikes, from urban to rural areas, which Marc Billard records and produces. Mountains, streams, forests, streets and roads are the source material. Marc then transforms the imagery in production, and adds an original soundtrack. We think of the finished productions as “alchemized nature films”. No AI is involved!

The photos below are examples of some of the source material.

 

These photos are of Marc Billard using his 360 camera with a selfie stick and also his mobile phone camera to record in the mountains of Colorado. (along Peak to Peak Highway and the St. Vrain River):

 

 

This is a 2-minute excerpt from projection at one of the episodes of Lumonics Immersed:
 

 

The music is a collaboration of Dorothy Tanner and Marc Billard (Tanner/Billard) that began in 1994 and ended upon Dorothy’s passing in 2020. Marc continues to produce music for Lumonics Immersed. It is produced using samples, keyboards, and also can include some of Dorothy’s spoken word we call Cosmic Rap.