Sure, Coachella is all about the music. But one thing that makes it so special is what you find on your way from one stage to another—the festival grounds are dotted with a veritable treasure trove of interactive (or just downright interesting) art. One of my favorite pieces, which I loved for its brightness and its undeniable effect on the Coachella landscape was Gateway, a collaboration between Stageworks, Sensory Sync, and a number of independent video artists . This array of screened archways used 3D mapping and RGB LED lights to create a stunning light show at night, and naturally, the 50-foot tall installation provided much needed shade during the scorching daylight hours.

Much like the Amon Tobin stage show I’ve blogged about before, artists employed projection techniques as well as highly saturated dimmable LED lights and LED dimmer technology to turn the archways into a dazzling rainbow of colors, patterns and ambient environments that created an escape for overwhelmed concertgoers, and also an easy-to-find meeting spot on the crowded grounds. For me, Gateway offered a nice respite between shows—I rested comfortably, knowing I could stay a while and enjoy the lights without feeling I was missing out on whatever musical act might be going on at the moment. Sometimes, you just need to take a break, and Gateway opened the door for that necessity this year at Coachella.

Thanks to Stageworks for the images