By Rachel Galvin
Stepping into Mad Arts in Dania Beach during IGNITE Broward is a surreal experience. This annual art and light festival, running from February 14–23 this year, spans three locations. In addition to Mad Arts, public art displays are also featured at Esplanade Park and Riverwalk in Fort Lauderdale, as well as ArtsPark at Young Circle in Hollywood, FL. What makes this event even more amazing is that it’s free and highly interactive.
At Mad Arts, one room gives you the sensation of being in a forest, complete with comfy “rocks” to sit on and the calming sounds of nature. Another room showcases digital seasonal flowers that seem to dissipate, as if the soul of the plant is escaping. A projection displays the latest seasonal plant, and by placing your hand in front of it, you become part of the picture. Many of the art pieces also interact with visitors, changing lighting, sound, or visuals depending on your actions.
One art installation features a mermaid in a body of water, encountering a plastic bag in place of what should be nature — a poignant commentary on everyday pollution. Another projection shows tiny, multi-colored digital figures following each other off a cliff like lemmings, possibly symbolizing how people are often blindly led. These are just a couple of examples that invite reflection.
The majority of the installations incorporate impressive, state-of-the-art technology, such as lasers, holograms, and even quantum physics. The art isn’t just visual but also stimulates sound, light, and even smell.
All these captivating pieces can be found at Mad Arts, but other artworks, such as larger-than-life sculptures made of lights and other media, can be discovered at the other event locations.
To find out more about this family-friendly interactive art event, visit www.ignitebroward.org.
More photos coming soon to the Facebook page for Let’s Talk Magazine.
