Cellular Illumination is an interactive film project where human bodies form kaleidoscopic shapes using stop motion* filming techniques. Inspired by Busby Berkeley choreography where the dancers form complex shapes, but simplified to Sesame Street level so that all you see are geometric patterns formed by people and their props. Think nouveau depression era style accessories with the lush textures of fur and feathers in bright colors.

The costumes pieces will incorporate the lavishness of 1930s glamour with a dash of Jim Henson. Imagine whimsical feather hats and twirling umbrellas marching in the grand procession en route to the spectacular culmination of the First Night festivities.

At First Night we celebrate our accomplishments as we look forward to the challenges that the future brings. We parade through downtown full of joy, each of us a cell that gives life to the breathing organism that is Austin. We gather in the heart of our burgeoning city to play in the illumination of the images we create as a community. We collectively ooh and ahh with youthful enthusiasm.

Cellular Illumination invites Austinites to work towards a common purpose, to rejoice the New Year with light, laughter and the promise of illumination. Together we form a human kaleidoscope. Giant umbrellas of red, orange and yellow swirl in geometric patterns. One by one they disappear. Tall feather hats of green, blue and purple replace them. These images form a flickering pool of light as they are projected onto the Long Center. As society becomes increasingly segmented, people have less opportunity to interact with folks outside their age and socioeconomic class. Cellular Illumination seeks to bridge that gap and inspire active cooperation in our community.

The project takes its name from the following quote by Anais Nin which summarizes the sense of discovery and organic spirit of the project.

There are very few human beings who receive the truth, complete and staggering, by instant illumination. Most of them acquire it fragment by fragment, on a small scale, by successive developments, cellularly, like a laborious mosaic. -- Anais Nin

The production of Cellular Illumination involves aerially filming+ local volunteers as they form colorful patterns. This will take place in the 3 days leading up to the First Night celebration in circular area in front of the Long Center. The exhibition of this publicly created film takes place after dusk on New Year's Eve. People will not be able to resist the urge to interact with the images as they are projected onto the Long Center -- a beacon of color and illumination in the nighttime playground of our fair city.

* Stop motion is an animation technique where you create the impression of movement by filming a sequence of one or two still frames at a time. Arrange subject. Take picture. Move subject a little. Snap another picture. Repeat ad infinitum.
+ The camera and laptop will be mounted on a scissor lift.

Cellular Illumination is a Prism Multimedia Production