Is the Imagery of the Electric Collage still alive?
The imagry of projected media in the evolution of visual media enjoyed a very popular era during the "Sixties" during the 1900's. over a million people saw the Elkectric Collage so their version of Visual Music has had a large influence in print and electronic media. It was the first time visual music had been a commercial venture on such a large scale.
The influence of the imagery used in light shows during that era can be seen in much of the landscape media today. The millions of young people who saw the light shows carried the pictures into their careers and the world. Similar complex, dynamic images are used in almost every TV show or movie in the new millennia.
Unbelieveabily, right after I posted this story in 2004 I got an email from a fan of the Electric Collage. A fan said it best when he pulled the light show right out of his head 35 years later....
"Hello Steve,
A journalist named Malcolm contacted me by e-mail in 2000 about my memories of Atlanta Pop Festival II. I think he was putting something together in connection with the Allman Bros.
I sketched out my memories in a return e-mail, closing with this paragraph: "One final distinctive memory involves the magic of the light shows. Whoever was responsible for the utter, trans formative beauty of those shows I wish I could reach across 30 years to thank. The shows were gorgeous, transfixing and poignant. I can still remember the projected figure of a small, stately ballerina as she pirouetted over and over amidst the swirls of moving colors and layered imagery. She kept her balance so exquisitely."
So thanks mucho Steve, for creating such an extraordinary experience for me. It was truly blissful.
Best regards,
Brad
West Virginia"
Steve replies, "Thank you Brad. I am glad you liked it enough to keep the pictures alive in your head for so many years. You describe the images as clearly as if you saw them yesterday. The ballerina film was shot one cold winter day in Piedmont Park in Atlanta Georgia about 1968 or 69. She was on a hill with the sun and winter tree limbs in the background. I used the film technique many times with other images to create the layered look of the Electric Collage. I still have the film of the ballerina."
Cheers,
Steve
Frank and Steve have had several talks and a reunion in the 2004-2008 era. Many more first hand stories will be coming to the web site in 2009. The site has many more pages in progress. Various stories about gigs, traveling, backstage stuff, making media and so forth. As with many other folks from 35 years ago we have lost touch with many of our old friends. We want to hear from everyone via email so when we expand the site all the stories will be there.
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