People around the world usually gather outdoors on December 31 to watch enchanting fireworks displays. But with the continuing rise in coronavirus cases, the Space Needle in Seattle decided to make the experience inside accessible – and it was bigger, three times, and more glittering than ever before.
Instead of the usual fireworks display at the Space Needle, iconic beacon officials chose to create a digital light show experience that displayed striking footage of life, science and illusions that were outside this world.
As indicated on the Space Needle website, organizers used sky-mapping technology and video footage to create the spectacle, which was only visible on screen. People who have personally visited the landmark saw the Space Needle illuminated only in a magenta color.
Twitter users quickly commented on how epic the spiritual celebration of New Year’s Eve was.
Many Twitters users compared the event to a hallucinogenic experience.
Others, however, described the show as the product of extra-earthly collaboration or the work of a science fiction dystopia.
While not exactly related to life outside of this world, Terry Morgan, the visionary behind the show, told the Seattle Times that it was the product of a lucid dream he had earlier this year.
“I was half-conscious in the dream and the sky was just beautiful colors and faces, all floating like clouds in the sky,” Morgan told the Times. “And it really was one of those landmark dreams.”
Morgan decided to take the idea to Karen Olson, the Space Needle’s chief operating officer and chief marketing officer, and as the Times reported, the concept was developed within a few months.
“It’s not planned for a year,” Morgan said. “After the Space Needle decided they were not physically doing fireworks due to the social constraints due to COVID, it really popped up and became an alternative.”
It may have been just an alternative, but for people who have been looking at the opportunity, it may just be the future.