A Wider Net

Vizoo, a Danish A/V Production company specializing in 3D illusions, created tremendous buzz for their trendy fashion client Diesel. Models would walk the runway, surrounded by eerie blue floating images, mostly underwater elements such as jellyfish and turtles. The effect was stunning, creating an environment aptly titled “liquid space”.

The illusion was created by projecting onto transparent screens they called “foils”, which are probably either partially reflective acyrilic sheets or holoscreens. Technically, neither of these are truly “holograms” but that doesn’t change the fact that they achieved something stunningly beautiful. Sometimes it’s the elegant, creative use of simple technology on a grand scale that creates the most impact. Consider the Bellagio fountains as proof - an array of water jets that, by themselves, are not very impressive, but collectively choreographed by the artists at Wet Design, they create a world-class destination attraction.

That’s what we’re looking at - an effect that is usually smaller and decades-old - the “Peppers Ghost” effect. We’re seeing this simple and classic effect used on a scale so massive and in a manner so compelling, it is now totally new, and totally wicked. This sort of approach can work in many ways for creating impact at an event. Arrays of simple elements, painstakingly choreographed, can create a versatile environment and an unforgettable experience. For example, recently one company found a tiny remote-controlled water valve, bundled dozens of them together, and created a waterfall that can spell messages in mid-air out of water drops.