Illuminations

Benjamin Alire Saenz, a distinguished poet, novelist and University of Texas - El Paso professor, selected my digital project Illuminations: Tunnel to Light for the literary section of Luminaria 2012. It all started with Luminaria 2011, when I first experienced the sheer joy and exhilaration that is San Antonio's Luminaria. It was 360 degrees of art, all kinds of art, and people, lots of people taking it in with open arms and bright eyes, and running from one venue to another so they don't miss a thing. Then, last fall, I went to Austin and visited Real gallery a unique place showcasing wonderful art. Upon entering the gallery, my eyes paused on an art piece by Austin artist Leslie Kell. I was so captivated by her fantasy work, I bought a print and then called up the artist and offered her to participate in the project. Then Benjamin Saenz liked it and thus, Illuminations was born. It consists of five videos created by four young digital artists, Dioni Gomez (USA), Matthew Janke (USA), Devin Kent (USA) and Nikola Barbov (Bulgaria), using only Leslie's art and five of my poems. None of us knew each other before this project, which makes it quite risque, but I thought we could channel all that adrenaline into something fresh and interesting. Judgment Day, aka Luminaria, is May 5th, Saturday in San Antonio. We'd love to have you experience these amazing visuals set to words and music, and against a supermoon. Because this month's full moon coincides with the moon's perigee this Saturday — its closest approach to Earth — it will also be the year's biggest. Join us on Stage 9, at 7:45pm, or 9:15pm, or 11pm. Like our facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/IlluminationsatLuminaria.