Thursday, January 21, 1999
Laser show offers night under stars, cool sounds
Rock favorites
add spice to breathtaking special effects, vivid color
By Michelle Zubiate
Daily Bruin Staff
Take a look at all the colors, man. Blues and greens float above
your head while the psychedelic music of the ’60s whirl through
your mind. No, dude, you’re not high, but at the Griffith
Observatory you experience the next-best (and substance-free)
alternative.
For years now, the Laserium show has dazzled crowds with its
stunning combination of great music and dazzling lighting effects.
Unfortunately, not everyone has taken the time to drive up the hill
to take full advantage of one of Los Angeles’ most amusing
features.
The show began in 1973 and just celebrated its 25th anniversary
last November. Boasting a "true mix of science, technology and
art," the show uses two full-color lasers with precision optics and
fiber optic technology to pull off their unique graphic displays in
over 45 cities.
While the Laserium company offers a variety of shows at the
Griffith Observatory from U2 to the upcoming Led Zeppelin feature,
by far the most popular remains Pink Floyd’s "Dark Side of the
Moon."
The album already has been acclaimed by many critics as the best
rock album ever, so the score alone proves to be worth the trip. A
mix of great tunes and exciting guitar hooks, any fan of true rock
cannot help but love the familiar picks alone. When you add a
visually amazing show, however, things only get better.
Starting off with the beat of a heart in the dark planetarium,
an audience stares at the ceiling as sharp red images begin to
pulsate above them. The suspense mounts until finally the room
explodes with loud music and the dazzling spectacle of a starry
sky.
One of the most intriguing characteristics of the show remains
that a laser artist calls the shots. While most might think that it
is all computer-controlled, in fact, a real person holds the power
to make changes and add effects based on both crowd reaction and
the music’s inspiration. For instance, after enthusiastic cheers
when the room filled with stars, the night sky remained a backdrop
for a good majority of the performance. That’s the way the crowd
wanted it.
The show matures with every song from the high-paced guitar of
"Money" to the slower, more methodical "Us and Them."
Taking full advantage of a variety of colors and shapes, the
ceiling blends and changes into different forms before your eyes. A
mellow interlude might call for visions of multi-colored clouds
floating across the sky. Like the aurora lights of the northern
circle, the colors melt into each other with grace and suit the
ease from the beats of the music.
Other moments call for sharp flashing lights or cartoon images.
In "Money," cartoon graphics of coins and registers flash,
perfectly synchronized with the sounds.
The show isn’t too long, but you might get a little kink in your
neck from leaning back for an extended period of time. You won’t
notice much during the performance, however.
Any pain you might experience, though, does not compare to the
full experience of an ethereal display of talent and unreal special
effects. This show can be one pleasure you don’t have to feel
guilty for.
The Laserium show features nightly at the Griffith Observatory
for $7 per person. For more information, call (818) 901-9405.
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