“A richly hued, psychologically astute portrait.”
-- Village Voice on CUSP
“The joy & pain are authentic enough to leave you reeling...”
-- Chicago Reader on CUSP
Alchemy of Light integrates 19th century illusionism, interactive video and physical theater to depict the life of the legendary magician Torrini as a parable of our fascination with technology.
Renowned for his skills at illusion, Torrini woos an aerialist who becomes his wife. During the course of a magic trick, their daughter is born. The family tours the world with their wondrous show of illusions. One day a tragedy dispels the happy demonstration of technical prowess. Torrini is left straining against the limits of technology as he struggles to regain his lost family.
19th century magicians were the early adopters of the technology of their day. Long before their audiences were familiar with electricity and projection techniques, magicians had developed these elements into seductive tools of wonder. The technology for Alchemy of Light will build on the archeology of cinema – shadow plays, magic lanterns and optical illusions - but with additional layers of modern interactive technologies.
Alchemy of Light is conceived by Ruth Sergel (US) and developed in close collaboration with dramaturge Peter C. von Salis (Switzerland) and an international cast including Luigi Coppola (Italy), Johanna Levy (France), Clara Palavesin (US/France).
More info: www.streetpictures.org









