The Yeti's are thrilled to return as a three-peat artist for the region's highest profile and best attended event, BLINK. In our third iteration, we're staying true to who we are as artists, but raising the bar with our approach and production elements. Here's a little peek into what you can expect from this year's projection mapping installation.
TRIED AND TRUE EXECUTION
1. Collaboration - Back for our third collaboration together are artists Tony Agliata and Matthew Grote to help produce a mixed-medium installation including cinematography + motion graphics + illustrations. Their unique talents and fresh perspectives elevate our artistry, propelling us into exciting new realms. Matt even added 3D printing this year by creating custom props (with some nods to Cincinnati). We are ecstatic to have them on board once again.
2. Visual Journey - Additionally, we remain committed to taking the viewer on a journey. Storytelling is at the core of Spotted Yeti and we wanted the action to be motivated and not just visually interesting.
"HUEmanity" on the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in 2019 (left) and "CINEMAGIC" on the First Financial Building in 2022 (right)
NEW THIS YEAR
1. Music - We were thrilled to see that music was a requirement of the projection mapping artists this year. Audio really does add another layer of activation and emotion to the art. Before even being assigned our location, we knew we wanted to partner with our longtime client, Cincinnati Opera, to help identify music for the project. Cincinnati Opera is the second oldest opera company in our nation. We are continuously impressed by how they innovate within their genre, having documented many new productions being workshopped, while also rethinking and elevating the classics. Plus, they are always looking for new ways to bring opera into the community. They recommended two operatic selections ("Song to the Moon" from Rusulka and "Die Zauberflöte" aka "Queen of the Night Aria" from The Magic Flute) and together they form a score that perfectly elevates the visuals and engages the viewer.
2. Projection Mapping on a Mural - We have always taken inspiration from our building, and this year the starting place had a new twist - an existing mural. But not only that, a mural by artists we have admired since locating our business in Covington - The London Police. 
Our 2024 Installation Location - The London Police Mural (1706 Pleasant Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202)
Projection mapping on a mural presented exciting new challenges. Instead of architectural elements to bring to life, we utilized the established lines and content of the artwork. As we debated our visual journey, we decided to lean into the central mermaid figure and gave her a voice (which perfectly fit with our collaboration with Cincinnati Opera). The result of four months of visioning, collaboration, shooting, and editing is: CELESTIAL SERENADE.
We hope to see you at BLINK, October 17-20, 2024! Please tag us on social media and hashtag your photos with #BLINKSpottedYeti. We'd love to hear your thoughts! A huge thank you to Spotted Yeti's Creative Director, Christopher Hagan, for defining our vision, and the rest of the yetis (Liz, Andy, Steph, & Jenna) for pushing their creative capabilities and lending their talents to this project. Here's a bit more about The London Police and our artwork:
The London Police Mural ("Squillad Serenade", est. 2019)
The London Police (TLP) are Chaz Barrisson and Bob Gibson, an English artist duo who have been creating murals and other artwork around the world since 1998. TLP draws everything by hand, and their style is characterized by the combination of their iconic LAD creatures (black and white dog figures...or when appearing underwater, "squillads") with realistic portrait styles.
TLP first came to the region in 2012 through a friendship with Covington Creative Agency, BLDG and painted a LAD on the side of a liquor store that eventually turned into a larger mural. In 2016 they created the Boone Block Living Wall Mural (on the corner of 4th and Scott Street in Covington) in honor of BLDG's founder, Mike Amann.
Celestial Serenade
Deep beneath the ocean's surface, a mermaid is born with an insatiable curiosity. Determined to escape her aquatic home, she discovers a magical orb that allows her to travel to the far reaches of space. “Celestial Serenade” is a fantastical adventure activating an existing mural by Amsterdam-based artists, The London Police. Set to an operatic score (in partnership with the Cincinnati Opera), the singing mermaid will delight audiences with mesmerizing underwater adventures and eye popping galactic environments.
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