It’s a show about light, lots of it, and Rudi Stern brings it to you up close and personal in his latest project, Theater of Light. The veteran artist, who has been in Jersey City for several years, has put together a visual artistic show that stimulates the mind and awakens the soul. The show, a very worthwhile engagement, will run until Dec. 1 at the Theater of Light Studio at 435 Mercer St. in Jersey City. Tickets are $20 for the public and $10 for students. For information on the show call (201) 433-0916 or visit www.theateroflight.com.
We recently interviewed Stern about Theater of Light, and this is what he had to say:
EM: Why did you put the show together?
RS: Because I need to. I believe we are in a time of increasing spiritual darkness and anxiety and this 52-minute voyage provides an opportunity for people to momentarily get off their hamster wheel and go into themselves. I think the projections are providing a brief but creative personal oasis in the midst of a non-stop media bombardment all around us.
EM: What do you want people to take from the show?
RS: I want people to take whatever is personally meaningful and relevant for them. I want them to be free to travel to any place within themselves that feels good and is creatively nutritional. The options are theirs. I’m only offering a modest ticket. Destinations are always quite personal.
EM: What preparation went into the project?
RS: Myself and Jerry Culligan who translates my hand-painted compositions into computer-programmed split-second instructions for the 24 slide projectors in use. I am manually controlling the speed and direction of the screens. Thus the program is never the same. Also new compositions and sources of light will be added. There are live elements in the last piece with percussion by Olatunji.
EM: How does this compare to your other works?
RS: Never the same. All my projects evolve. My priority is to learn and grow. It’s also my pleasure in life.
EM: How did you come up with the idea for the show?
RS: Through a long process of looking, listening and thinking…I’m not sure of how this will ultimately develop when I finally grow up. q