October 2, 2024
PLAY Audio Agency and artist Chaske Haverkos are set to dazzle audiences once again with their third collaborative project for BLINK Cincinnati, the nation's largest light and projection mapping art festival. The collaborators will transform the iconic Cincinnati Music Hall into a canvas of light and sound, promising an unforgettable experience for festival-goers.
Chaske Haverkos, a 2008 graduate of UC DAAP with a degree in digital design, has become a staple of BLINK Cincinnati since his debut in 2018. His previous installations have captivated audiences, projecting onto the Coffee Emporium roastery in Over-the-Rhine in 2018 and the Findlay Market Deeper Roots mural in 2022. With each project, Haverkos has pushed the boundaries of projection mapping, creating immersive experiences that blend light, color, and architecture.
PLAY Audio Agency, known for their innovative sound design and music scores, will once again partner with Haverkos to create a multisensory spectacle. Their previous collaboration, “Beyond the Visible Spectrum,” showcased at BLINK 2022, was a three-act journey that explored themes of inner illumination, artistic introspection, and collective celebration.
Cincinnati’s iconic landmark, Music Hall, will serve as the backdrop for this year’s BLINK installation. This historic venue, home to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Opera, provides a grand canvas for Haverkos and PLAY Audio Agency to work their magic.
Haverkos’ experience in projection mapping allows him to transform architectural features into dynamic elements of his art. “Projection mapping allows you to play the facade, warp the structure, work with light through windows and any geometric shapes or textures that help you define and activate details,” Haverkos explained.
While specific details about this year’s concept remain under wraps, Haverkos’ approach offers insight into what audiences might expect. “It’s a lot of ground to cover, creating every second from scratch,” he said. “BLINK animations are more of a journey and experience than a film you merely consume.”
Adam Pleiman, Creative Director for PLAY Audio Agency added, "It's been exciting to write music for such an iconic structure. On one hand, there are classic expectations around what Music Hall should sound like, and yet there has always been an innovative piece to Music Hall and the CSO as well. Playing with that balance and imbalance has been a creative treat." Pleiman is joined by fellow PLAY Audio Agency composers, Ann Driscoll and Drew Marcum as musical collaborators on the project.
BLINK Cincinnati has grown to become a premier event in the art world, attracting over 2.1 million visitors in 2022. The festival spans more than 30 city blocks, featuring street art, projection mapping, and light-based installations. This year’s event, scheduled October 17-20, 2024, promises to be even more spectacular, with over 80 global artists participating.
As Cincinnati prepares to be transformed into a glowing canvas of creativity, the collaboration between PLAY Audio Agency and Chaske Haverkos at Music Hall stands as a testament to the festival’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of public art and technology. Their installation is sure to be a highlight of BLINK 2024, offering visitors a chance to see one of Cincinnati's most beloved landmarks in an entirely new light.
For more information and to plan your experience, visit BLINK Cincinnati.
