You never forget your first time. For me it was this October, it was in an art studio with a cheap beer amid a crowd of insiders who hopped off the "everything downtown" train and ventured to the Con Artist Crew Gallery in the Godfrey industrial district.
Amid the pulsating beats shot colorful beams of light, crafted with materials easily discovered at your local hardware store. The warehouse venue was transformed into something magical, via a cosmic light show courtesy of the recently formed LazerBoyz. I loved it, and fell under their spell.
LazerBoyz is a group of visual artists who all go by assumed names -- The Fog, Professor SplashPantz, FreshKoko, LoBrow, and newest member LEDzNutz. They focus on the simple pleasures of creating immersive light environments for an audience. Part performance art, part Spencer Gifts meets Home Depot, the ‘Boyz eschew all seriousness in the pursuit of a more focused, electric powered fine art.
Now, after a bit of a break from their last show in 2012, they are returning with a downtown performance at Bar Divani’s gallery space. Music for the evening will be provided by FreshKoko, LEDzNutz, and Bang Crush. We are all survived the Mayan Apocalypse, and now that the big day has come and gone, samples, turntables, and chiptunes are your soundtrack to the lazer future.
"We are directly translating Dr. Dre's album
The Chronic into visual arrays of light," says FreshKoko, on what inspired the LBZ’s installation this time. "We'll also have photobooth stations and guest engagement experiences laced with the emerald glow of Zt. Patrickz Day."
To prepare for this experience, the LazerBoyz have been studying Anais Nin's essays on D.H. Lawrence over the winter, proving that just when you thought you could write them off, they are dead serious about more than just classic literature, designing a performance filled with "geometric light sculptures that evoke implied narratives between lovers."
FreshKoko also has some prep work for this wanting to attend, "We encourage you to be reflective on the night of the event." And while this could be taken a few different ways, it is safe to say (having been to a few of their events now), that guests should wear something reflective as well.
Space is limited, so arrive on time to guarantee you can get in on Saturday night.
Admission: $5