To promote the Montreux Jazz Festival's legendary 2014 lineup, video directors Cauboyz pieced together a short video of a light installation that documents an incredible hack of classic '70s-era electric keyboard technology.In the behind-the-scenes video, we're treated to the installation's creators fusion of 64 light boxes to the legendary Wurlitzer organ, used by everyone from Supertramp to Air and Daft Punk. It's a rad synthesis of the analog and digital worlds that has us itching to visit Switzerland for the festival in July.
Advertisement
In addition to the Wurlitzer (played by Jerry Léonide and Simon Henner), the installation features the woodwork of Livier Baumgartner, a number of circuit boards, and modern lighting technology. From the looks of the video, it seems the Wurlitzer was even, to phrase it simply, circuit-bent. While this is a feat in and of itself, the triggered patterns of the light boxes make it all the more magical; made possible by routing each of the Wurlitzer's 64 keys to a dedicated light box, a ping-ponging dance of light is born.It reminds me a bit of the quirky musical instruments invented by Boris Vian for his seminal surrealist novel L'ecume de jour (Foam of the Daze), adapted most recently by Michel Gondry. We can only hope that this creation will get its own live video performance soon.
Montreux Jazz Festival runs from July 4th through the 19th. Get your tickets here.
ONE EMAIL. ONE STORY. EVERY WEEK. SIGN UP FOR THE VICE NEWSLETTER.
By signing up, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy & to receive electronic communications from Vice Media Group, which may include marketing promotions, advertisements and sponsored content.
