90’s live RAVE VISUALs
16mm projector awaiting film loop, INTRACTION, Victoria, BC, 1995
1995/1996 - By projecting photos and film loops on the walls, ceilings, and backdrops for Raves and musical events I would design and create the visual atmospheres. At this time the projections were entirely analogue, using old slide projectors, 8mm and 16mm film projectors that I found in local thrift shops. Much of the imagery was garnered from old movie footage or rephotographed from books and magazines. Film loops are the original GIFs. They are hand-made by piecing together sections of celluloid film, looped into a circle and secured together with tape. They play a short vignette, spinning through a 16mm film projector, repeating roughly every 4 to 8 seconds, all depending of the length of the loop (usually around 1 to 2 metres in circumference).
Red Lounge on Richards St
Dynasty, Victoria, 1996
Housey Doings on Kingsway Ave
My '75 Dodge Dart filled with film loops, projectors and extension cords the morning after Never Never Land, 1996. I didn't headline this event. From what I remember I curated a chill-out room. This allowed me to come and go to photograph the main event in the big tent.
Backdrop for Shazzam at Wazubi
Backdrop for Shazzam on Denman Island
DJ Sean Wunder at Heritage Hall, Vancouver
DV8 on Davie St
Step Hard on Robson St
Intraction in Victoria
Intraction in Victoria
Back drop for DJ Justin Wunder
At times I would project my own photos, or feature the artwork of friends. At this time in Vancouver and Victoria, Canada, the Rave scene was still small, and entirely non-corporate sponsored. The one-off warehouse parties were fluid with the local dance scene, with many of us having regular club nights. For me it was Thursdays for Jazzmin at the Red Lounge on Richards near Robson, and later Strictly Business at the Hungry Eye in Gastown.