La Merce 09 | Audiovisual Design

Light and Magic during La Merce 09

26 September 2009 By Vera Ciria 4 In Audiovisual Design

I’m not usually all that interested in getting involved in the yearly Mercè celebrations and often try to be away on vacations when the 24th of September rolls around. This year I’m here in Barcelona, dealing with the noisy crowds due to never-ending free activities. Too many children running wild and people making a general mess of themselves and the city.

The only event that I dared face the crowds is the lovely audiovisual projections on the façade of the Barcelona City Hall in Plaza Sant Jaume. Repeating after its success the past year, “Enlluerna’t”, (something along the lines of Illuminate Yourself), is a show not to be missed! The show started this past 23rd of September and will run until the 27th of September, with 3 sessions every night. If you haven’t been able to see it yet, there are three chances tonight and three tomorrow night and is well worth the visit. Each session is only 15 minutes long and the square is not crowded, which offers great photo and video opportunity as there’s no fighting for elbow room.

Audiovisual projections, Barcelona, Cosmo AV, La Mercè 09, Mariona Omedes, Nueve Ojos, vera ciria

The visual magic is created by Nueve Ojos studio with Mariona Omedes heading up the project as director, (her website is very user-friendly and fun), and Cosmo AV based in France, developing the technical installation. Inspirations and images were used to promote the 50th anniversary of Amades, Ildelfons Cerda’s designs in Barcelona, typical Catalan traditions such as castellers, emblematic icons of the city such as Gaudí’s Casa Batlló and Istanbul, which is the visiting city during this year’s Mercè festivities.

The stone walls come alive with images and music, creating a visual spectacle that is magical and enchanting. Fish and waterfalls, mosaic tiles, fireworks, dancers, flowers and windows that open and close to reveal different images are just a few of the elements to appear during the 15 minutes.

The visit was so worth it that I’m actually thinking about going back there tonight to see it once again. Fifteen minutes of feeling young again and enjoying a visual delight, a marvel to the senses.