Robert Henke's Laser Show Rings in New Year in Modena
Over five thousand people gathered in Modena's largo Sant'Agostino on New Year's Eve for the world premiere of Robert Henke's 20232024 Monolake laser show. The Berlin-based performer used thirteen lasers to create patterns against the screen of the former S. Agostino hospital, a site under renovation destined to become a cultural hub. The sixty-minute immersive performance, commissioned by Node, combined light and electronic sound in a perfectly calibrated display, culminating in a countdown to midnight. Modena, recently named Italian City of the Year at the Artribune Best Awards 2023 and designated UNESCO Media Arts Capital, has been pursuing cultural excellence through events like Node and the SmartLife festival, which last September featured a performance by Carsten Nicolai (Alva Noto) at Teatro Storchi. Mayor Muzzarelli declared after the show, 'We are the city of Media Arts.'
Key facts
- Robert Henke performed the world premiere of his 20232024 Monolake laser show in Modena on New Year's Eve.
- Over 5,000 people attended the performance in largo Sant'Agostino.
- The show used 13 lasers controlled by custom software.
- The performance lasted 60 minutes and ended with a countdown to midnight.
- The event was commissioned by Node.
- Modena was named Italian City of the Year at the Artribune Best Awards 2023.
- Modena was designated UNESCO Media Arts Capital.
- The SmartLife festival in September 2023 featured Carsten Nicolai (Alva Noto) at Teatro Storchi.
Entities
Artists
- Robert Henke
- Carsten Nicolai
- Alva Noto
Institutions
- Node
- Artribune
- UNESCO
- Centre Pompidou
- Teatro Storchi
- Musei Civici di Modena
Locations
- Modena
- Italy
- largo Sant'Agostino
- Paris
- France