About the Bardo Light Show

 Inspired by the projections of the 1960’s light shows, the BLS researched, hoarded kit, and experimented to develop an authentic psychedelic light show. Liquids and chemicals are at the heart of the light show… mixed, boiled, squished and literally obliterated on the screen and in the minds of the viewers. These analog effects are “mashed up” with digital footage and effects manipulated live using video processors. The process is “hands on”, mechanical, and driven by a healthy trust in chaos. The output has organic, natural, and primordial aesthetics, which integrate with, enhance, and reference the psychedelic experience. Watch our 'show reel' below featuring photographs by John 'Hoppy' Hopkins.



Projects & Collaborations

 

Solar Flares Burn For You, 16th September 2011, a cinematic spectacular of rare psychedelic short-films funded by the BFI set within a consciousness expanding environment created by Raagnagrok, Bardo Light Show, and the Anti-Gravity Chamber.


Metamorphosis, 24th May 2011, the BLS provide chemical and liquid projections for a film by Lorna Love featuring Lily Cole. The film was produced and screened (as part of an installation) by creative collective Between Man and Beast at the Estethica event hosted by the British Fashion Council. View the film and 'making of' here.


July + Connan Mockasin, 7th May 2011, the BLS light UK psychedelic legend July’s return to the stage, and the sublime Connan Mockasin. Conceived and hosted by Rhys Webb (The Horrors).View July performing 'Dandelion Seeds' here.


Breaking Convention, April 2011 (University of Kent) – A multidisciplinary conference on psychedelic consciousness with contributions by Ram Dass (formerly Richard Alpert), Ralph Metzner and contemporary researchers including Dr David Luke. The BLS provides a hands-on installation and demo of chemical/liquid projections.


SHOWstudio – The Power of Projection, 20th January 2011 - a live webcast from the SHOWstudio exemplifying the works of contemporary projection artists including the Bardo Light Show. See the live webcast performance here. 




Offset Festival, 4th September 2010 – the BLS light an all day alternative spectacular hosted by the Experimental Circle Club (ECC).

 




Hip Death Goddess, 29th August 2010 – The second HDG event investigating Paganism and folklore through a psychedelic looking glass, incorporating live music by Circulus and Bridget Hayden, dance and screenings of Ben Van Meter’s psychedelic films from the 1960’s.

 

Hip Death Goddess, 30th May 2010 – The BLS produce and light a one day psychedelic festival incorporating live music from Wolf People, The Lucid Dream, films by Kenneth Anger and dance by Ultra Violet Violence. Psychedelic monologues by Krystle Cole.

 

Sleek magazine, April 2010 – The BLS team up with photographer Jonathan Hallam again to produce a set of fashion photographs for publication in Sleek 26 Flora/Fauna.





The Moth Ball, 11th December 2009 (Whitechapel) – The BLS light the eccentric Moth Ball, an event loosely themed around moths, insects and metamorphosis, mixing the beautiful with the bizarre through film, music, projections and poetry from John Cooper Clarke.

 

Liquid Sound Experiment, 19th November 2009 (Whitechapel) – the BLS host a screening of the underground 1968 documentary Dope by Sheldon Rochlin and Diane Rochlin (now Flame Schon), incorporating poetry from PH7 and psychedelic projections.

 




Green Man Festival, 2009 – BLS light the 12-hour ‘Monstrous Psychedelic Bubble Exploding In Your Mind’ event hosted by the Amorphous Androgynous in the Far Out tent. Click here to see footage.





Greenwich Film Festival, 25th July 2009 – BLS provide an outdoor psychedelic light show in conjunction with the screening of Antonioni’s film Blow Up (1966) in Maryon Park (a key location in the film).

 

John ‘Hoppy’ Hopkins’ ‘Talking About a Revolution…’ photographic exhibition, The Idea Generation Gallery (London), June 2009 – the BLS had the privilege of lighting the last night of Hoppy’s fine exhibition.





SHOWstudio ‘Future Tense’ film festival, August 2008 – The BLS collaborates with photographer Jonathan Hallam to produce a short film Chrysalis, inspired by the Lumière Brothers' The Serpentine Dance (c.1899).