Together We Grow

Interactive Multimedia Experience

Description

Our designs and installations reflect our identity: we are a team of artists and engineers deeply passionate about interactive installations, drawing inspiration from the rich symbolism and motifs of our Indigenous heritage.

As artists navigating the two worlds between our family’s cultures and the Western world, we created “Together We Grow.” Through 5 light pillars serving as a physical bridge between cultures, they invite viewers to contemplate the duality of nature and culture and envision a future that embraces both tradition and innovation.

Day View of the Installation

Night View of the Installation

Our team represents Indigenous cultures from North and South America:

Daniel Villanueva: Co-Founder of Lucid Skies, is a first-generation Salvadoran-American.

Kevin Villanueva: Co-Founder of Lucid Skies, is also a first-generation Salvadoran-American.

Danielle Boyer: Founder of The Steam Connection, is Anishinaabe, from The Great Lakes Region.

In Anishinaabe culture, plants are revered beings, crafted from minerals, water, and light. Many of the vibrant flowers hold deep healing symbolism and represent the essence of life itself. For the Nahua, the flowers of our homeland represent divinity, beauty, and love.

This installation was conceived with the aim of creating enjoyable multisensory experiences that awaken our sense of wonder, merging our passions for music, creativity, and our cultural heritage. We went a step further by developing an augmented reality mobile experience to complement our interactive pillars, offering a glimpse into our unique perspectives. This addition was inspired by our Compass presentation at Lighting in a Bottle last year, where we discussed our use of augmented reality and cultural elements to inspire our communities.

Technical Overview 

A technical overview and installation requirements.

Pillar Specifications:

  • Style: Interactive pillars with 3 rotating rows

  • Number of pillars: 5 in series

  • Material: Canvas, Wood, LED lights

  • Dimensions: 9ft height x 3ft width x 3ft length

  • Both structures are pre-fabricated by our team and are ready for assembly on-site. 

  • No logos or branded imagery is featured on the pillars.

Installation Site and Time:

  • The location for the art installation should have adequate space to accommodate both pillars several feet apart from one another, allowing visitors to move freely around them.

  • Space is required for a small 8.5"x11" sign that describes the installation for the purpose of education, provided by our team. No logos or branded imagery is featured on the sign.

  • Space is required for an iPad stand in front of the pillar for a custom augmented reality experience that goes along with the installation. The iPad is provided.

  • Depending on location of installation and its distance from vehicle access, installation should take 1-2 days prior to activation. 

  • The pillars require three of our team members for installation. 

Power Requirements:

  • The installation will require access to one standard power outlet per structure with two three-pronged plugs. 

LED Lighting System:

  • A custom-designed interactive and motion-sensing LED light experience will be installed on each side of each pillar.

  • The LED lighting system will be programmed to respond to visitors' movements, creating an engaging and dynamic environment.


Staffing Requirements:​​

  • No event staff required during the event. 

  • The installation can run on its own but should be periodically checked to ensure that it is running smoothly.


Safety Considerations:

  • We have taken measures to ensure that our pillar and experience are as safe as possible. The pillar is safe to touch with proper electrical protocol followed.

  • Our work and team members are insured.