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Interactive Luminarium On Display At Blink

There are new details about one of the displays at Cincinnati's inaugural Blink festival. Architects of Air will set up an exhibit at Washington Park. Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber spokesman Rich Walburg says it's an interactive display of light called a luminarium.

"If an aquarium contains water, a luminarium contains light," Walburg says. "During the daytime hours, you walk through the luminarium inside of it to see the beautiful light coming in. And at night, we'll light it from the inside."

Walburg says it's made of the same type of material used to make bounce houses. The inflatable sculpture contains paths, mazes, and domes for people to troll through. Walburg says it is accessible to those with mobility issues.

Architects of Air has created several varieties of luminarium, and displayed them in 40 countries. Washington Park will host the Katena model.

Walburg says the art is a natural fit for the Blink festival. "Blink is a light and art event like this city has never seen."

Blink replaces Lumenocity, which projected light onto the façade of Music Hall, with live performances from 2013 to 2015. It was held inside Taft Theater in 2016.

"There will be projection mappings, much like Lumenocity only on steroids. Instead of one building, it will be on 25 to 30 buildings."

Blink will spread out between Findlay Market and the Freedom Center.

"It's what future cities do," says Walburg. "Cincinnati is a future city. We want to do things first and do them best. There are other light festivals or art festivals in the nation. This is the first to combine projection mapping with art installations with Architects of Air."

Blink also includes a parade, art installations, food, and performances. The event runs October 12-15. The Architects of Air exhibit will cost $5 for entry. The rest of the festival's events are free.

Bill Rinehart started his radio career as a disc jockey in 1990. In 1994, he made the jump into journalism and has been reporting and delivering news on the radio ever since.