SCOTTSDALE, AZ – A sense of seasonal excitement returned as Scottsdale Public Art’s annual art experience, Canal Convergence | Water + Art + Light, once again lit up from Nov. 5-14, 2021. Masary Studios’ art installation Say What You Will (SWYW) transformed voices into art to illuminate the Scottsdale Waterfront with their enchanting, large-scale projection mapping installation leveraging Epson laser projectors.
In partnership with Scottsdale Arts, Masary Studios suspended six 50’ sails above the Arizona Canal to create an interactive audio-visual artwork that activates more than two acres of the Scottsdale Waterfront. SWYW explores expression, understanding and meaning across media, using spectral and sentiment analysis, machine learning and custom-designed software to listen and turn audience communications into unique expressions of light and video projection. Abstract animations of speech translated into light patterns create eye-catching projection displays and colorful, dancing reflections on the surface of the Scottsdale Waterfront.
“SWYW marks our third return to Canal Convergence and brings a transformative experience for attendees to see the power and emotion behind their voices illuminate the Scottsdale Waterfront,” said Sam Okerstrom-Lang, founder and principal, Masary Studios. “Pairing animation, sound and computer learning with Epson’s powerful laser projectors gave us the ability to display the art at a large scale and truly light the night, while also providing an intimate experience for participants to interact with the installation.”
A unique pairing of light and sound technology, SWYW invites the Scottsdale community to speak into any of the six kiosks onsite and experience the transformation of their voices into light and video abstractions. The installation leverages 12 Epson Pro L1755UNL laser projectors, along with a variety of compatible Epson lenses, to create 180,000 lumens of stunning, engaging artwork. For a more compact, efficient installation, Masary Studios used LANG frames to stack two 15,000-lumen Epson projectors to display double the light output. The projectors’ convenient built-in tools and ability to be powered from standard 120V sources resulted in seamless setup to bring Masary Studios’ artistic vision to life.
“Masary Studios has found the perfect balance of using experiential technology and projection to create interactive, awe-inspiring public artwork,” said Ramzi Shakra, product manager, large-venue projectors, Epson America, Inc. “Their return to Canal Convergence this year with the Say What You Willinstallation underscores their creativity and innovation in leveraging the best in AV technology for even bigger, transformational experiences to inspire and thrill the Scottsdale community.”
Canal Convergence takes place November 5-14 with artwork showcased along the Arizona Canal at the Scottsdale Waterfront. The annual art experience is free for the public to attend and offers live music, in-person workshops and artist talks, food and beverages, and more. For additional information, visit www.canalconvergence.com/canal-convergence-2021-overview.
Further information from Masary Studios: www.masarystudios.com
Further information from Epson: https://epson.com
