Your Magic is Real

2019

Made in collaboration with
James Akers

132" x 300" x 300"

neon, LEDs, steel, aluminum, acrylic, disco ball, sound, electronics

This immersive light and sound installation was created in collaboration with James Akers for the Color Factory in Houston, and is designed to evoke the power of collaboration. When people first enter the room, they encounter a stark white space that is devoid of light and color. Handprint sensors on a central platform and two side walls are spaced far enough apart so that a single person can't touch both sensors on their own. But when two or more people join together to bridge that physical and metaphorical divide, a small electrical current passes through their bodies to complete a circuit, and the room immediately begins to come to life. The longer participants hold hands, the more the room fills the with light, color and sound.

Individually controllable neon lights create animated starbursts on the walls and ceiling whose flashing patterns increase in speed over time. Over 200 neon and LED lights illuminate a sign that says “You Are Magic,” and when the show reaches its climax it activates a disco ball in the ceiling. The electronics are algorithmically programmed by TX/RX Labs to create a unique experience for each set of participants, including a variety of musical scores composed by Evan Scallan. But as soon as participants break their physical connection, the room immediately goes dark and silent once again.

Photos by Adam Neese. Video by Vision & Verve.