The parking area in front of the large building was blocked off, and laid out with outdoor carpet and glowing LED bean bag chairs. Color-changing coffee tables were decorated with bubbling beakers of mysterious liquid on mirrored trays. Guests were treated to a space-themed, inflatable photo booth, with alien props to add pizazz to their snapshots. One area of outdoor seating had been “Jumbified” by local artist Jumbie. He created a cozy lounge surrounded by his unique tapestries that trick the eye as the images advance and recede with color-changing lighting effects.
Inside the Community Oasis art gallery was the work of 29 artists, 27 from the Las Vegas area. The artwork was the first commissioned series for the future Time Machine space, currently in the development stages. This upcoming immersive art and science play space will be located inside a 20,000-square-foot former grocery store in Huntridge Plaza on Charleston Blvd. and Maryland Pkwy. This Sneak Peek art exhibit and party offered the Vegas community a vision of things to come.
Time Machine was honored to have a diverse cross-section of artists to display at our event: established luminaries with deep roots in the Vegas arts scene like Anthony Bondi and KD Mathseon; successful mid-career artists like Jesse Smigel, Joseph Watson and Brian and Jennifer Henry; and fresh talent like Mila May, Anais Thomassian and Voki Kalfayan.
Says Jennifer Henry, best known for her wild, wearable cellophane creations by her couture company FlockFlockFlock, “It’s always exciting to have the opportunity to share my creations with Las Vegas, and at Time Machine I have the chance to work alongside my fellow local artists to showcase the extraordinary talents of our resident community.” Her husband, digital design wizard Brian Henry adds, “I’m eager to experience all of the creative applications of technology at Time Machine as the project develops. In the meantime, the medicine cabinet ‘portal’ I created using a TV screen and 3D generated visuals is just a glimpse of what is to come.”
Approximately 300 visitors enjoyed the art and activities at this all-ages, free event. Our bartender Taylor slung signature cocktails all evening, as well as a yummy IPA generously provided by Derek Stonebarger of Rebar. Tasty snacks were catered by Opportunity Village, who we plan to work with hand in hand moving forward. We are thrilled to support and intersect with this incredible local charity. Tanja Vereen, who heads up the OV catering program, said a few words at the beginning of the evening, alongside our Time Machine Directors.
After taking in the art exhibit, guests were awed by the ferrofluid demonstrations provided by Time Machine’s Chief Technology Officer Sean Paskinsky. They could also take part in a video project filmed by Mike Thompson of Light Forge Studios. Our lovely Solar System model Maddie Pace inspired party-goers with a bit of mystical wisdom all evening by reading their fortunes from our Cosmic Oracle deck.
Skin City Body Painting blinged-out guests with organic glitter gel and metallic temporary tattoos, and also provided the multi-talented LED juggler Dimitri – who entertained the crowd all night with his various skills and multiple costume changes! Cherokee Edyn performed LED poi to a soundtrack by our DJs The Unassuming Gentlemen. She also took time to dance with our smallest guests – the children who flocked to our UV-activated bubble dance floor. Despite a slight chill in the air, Skin City owner Ross Gibson had trouble dragging his daughter Siella away!
Tom Devlin took time away from his namesake Boulder City Monster Museum to bring his family to see his work in the show. “I am so honored to be a part of such a unique project,” he said. “The event was tons of fun for my whole family. My six-year-old even proclaimed it to be the best night of her life!” We can’t think of a better goal as we move forward creating our Time Machine.
If you missed the fun, here’s a gallery of images from the event:
