A Digital Inception of the LUMA Light Projection Festival May Still be Possible
The organizers of a fledgling, ground-breaking animation projection arts festival in Binghamton are trying to save the future of the event.
LUMA had modified plans for this year’s festival which draws thousands to downtown Binghamton to view animated computer-generated projections on historic buildings to make the event available as a digital first version. The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, however, killed those plans as many supporters were just unable to provide the financial backing they had promised.
While this year’s festival was then canceled altogether and organizers and artists were left staring down a pile of debt and unfinished projects, it’s hoped the future can be saved through the generosity of the community.
One of the festival's founders, Joshua Bernard told WNBF's Doug Mosher on Binghamton Now work is continuing on a digital form of the art. He says it's hoped a performance in conjunction with Tri-Cities Opera of a sort of mystery story called, "Miranda" may be viewed online and sort of launch LUMA into 2021.
There is also a plan for an app that could allow people to use their smart phones to conduct their own tour of downtown Binghamton buildings to see projections superimposed on the facades.
Completing any of the art project dreams, of course, will still take money.
A GoFundMe page has been launched with a goal of raising $100,000. As of 5 p.m. July 9 $13,167 had been raised.