More than Music: Behind the Art of Suwannee Hulaween with Because of the Lotus

With Hulaween less than a month away, everyone is getting the pre-fest jitters of excitement, especially with last week’s announcement of the theme: Creatures of the Galaxy. We recently had time to interview some of our favorite creatures, Moe and Pat from Because of the Lotus. These guys form an artistic supergroup that will be presenting at Hulaween again this year, and we asked them about Hula, their art, and what we have to look forward to this year!

Who are you guys, and what is Because of the Lotus?

Moe: I’m Moe Angelo, lead digital artist, projection mapper, and biofeedback specialist. Because of the Lotus is an art installation and collective that is constantly flowing and changing, adapting to its location. It symbiotically fuses fine art, digital art, and biofeedback.

Pat: Hey guys, I’m Patrick Anglin, a classically trained fine artist who created Because of the Lotus with the help of my friends. We are an art movement aiming to share light and inspiration in places that may otherwise cast shadows. It is the newest form of art therapy; we basically give people an experience they cannot forget by fusing fine art, digital art, and a strong understanding of psychology and biofeedback to show them something new.

How would you define the art that you two make?

Moe: It has taken us a while to figure that out, especially because it is always growing and changing. Ultimately we combine fine art and digital art into a new medium that allows the viewer to be fully immersed in the piece. From uplighting a curtain of trees to using a laser to create a ceiling, or from using brainwave pattern to control digital effects on a painting to actually being surrounding by the painting in virtual reality, full immersion in the art is always the grand motivator.

Pat: To define this art is difficult because it’s basically alive, as it’s constantly evolving. Our goal is to fit energy where it is needed and adapt to any situation, just like how a Lotus grows. It is spiritual, disciplined, kind-hearted and selfless art. We try to welcome everyone around us and share this positive experience with those in need of light.

In regards to how your art style is currently growing and evolving, what has you the most excited?

Moe: The continued growth and evolution of our biofeedback program and our recent journey into using virtual reality and the Oculus Rift, I would say, are the areas I am most excited about. I recently began the process of becoming nationally board-certified in biofeedback, and we have even begun talks about opening our first animated art gallery and biofeedback center.

Pat: For me the biofeedback aspect of our installation gets me excited. We hook you up to an EEG (a machine measuring brain waves) and ask you to calmly turn your brain, which is being displayed on computer screen, from an excited red to a tranquil blue. It’s hard to believe, but those colors are representing actual activity in the user’s brain. If that’s not enough, we connect the EEG signal to the murals, so as the colors or intensity levels of the brain change, and so do the effects of the digital mural. In short, you control the painting with your mind. It blows me away every time to see peoples’ reactions when they first take complete mind and body control. We plan to open up our own Because of the Lotus Biofeedback center/gallery within the next few years, which has me super jazzed!

What’s you favorite place to do your installations?

Moe: Spirit of the Suwannee was the first place our installation ever displayed, at AURA 2013, and I will always consider it our home. I refer to it as the “Disney World of music festival parks”!

Pat: Spirit Of The Suwannee, Costa Rica (Envision Fest), and our newest destination, the Virgin Islands.

So, you guys do Hulaween regularly; how many years have you been presenting there?

Moe and Pat: This will be our 5th Hulaween in the magical Spirit Lake!

Which year was your favorite display there?

Moe: I would have to say that our Mural Cube a few years ago was probably my favorite, mainly because it was the year we switched to using bamboo for all of our mural frames and huts.

Pat: My favorite was the first year we displayed our install there. The festival was still small and very personal, which allowed me to connect on a deeper level with the people. However, I am super honored to be a part of and watch this festival grow into something so very big and beautiful.

What bands are you guys most excited to see this year?

Moe: Hula always brings such fire! I’m super jazzed to finally get to see Garaj Mahal and Jamiroquai after all these years, Mavis Staples, Vulfpeck, Lettuce, Cory Wong, Medeski, Martin and Wood, and of course all the Florida Fam like Guavatron, Come Back Alice and Holey Miss Moley!

Pat: I’m pumped to see Jamiroquai, our friends Vulfpeck, Lettuce, Medeski, Martin and Wood, and our good buddies Guavatron, Come Back Alice and Holey Miss Moley!

I know you guys can’t confirm if anyone will be there, but what other artists are you guys hoping will be back this year?

Moe: I am surely hoping to see the lovely ladies from The Complimentary Bar again! They just make you feel so warm and fuzzy, and they make the best drinks! Last year we hung with the Pro Hydro Flyer guys quite a bit, and they were awesome! I’m definitely hoping they are back this year. And of course our Laser Assassin homies are always a blast to hang with!

Pat: We definitely vibed with the Laser Assassins last year; they are awesome. My friend Brandon with Pro Hydro Flyer and the guys who did all those incredible wood builds. Just so many to choose from; Spirit Lake is definitely the most magical spot for artists to spew creative flair into the world. The LED balls were rad last year along with the always fun jelly dome. I hope our friends Medicine Murals with Annie, Jack and Dillon are back, and Black Ink Arts, Anamorphosis Art, Steven Teller and E.R. all killed it last year with the brush; hope they are all back this year.

Without giving too much away, what do you guys have in store for the Hula crowd this year?

Moe: We can’t wait! It’s by far our biggest undertaking yet, both in size and in functioning parts. This year we have expanded our Biofeedback program to include more elements to help participants tap into physical homeostasis, and we also will be bringing along our first Virtual Reality painting created with the Oculus Rift. We’re also very excited to bring our new collaboration with Ohio band John Welton and the Awakening, The Late Night Levity Show! It’s a very unique, live late-night psychedelic game show brought to life with projection mapping and a lot of improv performance!

Pat: This year is our highest vision; we are aiming to create a space that is geared toward tranquility. We will be using bio feedback and breathing techniques along with breath workshops led by Moe and myself to help create peace within. We got some new toys this year which will definitely push our reach beyond reality and into the virtual. Excited to be working with amazing artist John Welton as well. We all have a ton of surprises in store for you this year; I guarantee to blow your mind!

I heard it’s named after a Vulfpeck song; any story behind that you want the fans to know about?

Moe: Who leaked?! Yes, we’re bringing Berlin to Florida by creating The Conscious Club in Spirit Lake! Lyrical elements from the Vulfpeck song “Conscious Club” (such as “Breathe with Me” Breath Rate Training and Heart Rate Variability, and “Relax Your Face” Electromyography – EMG training) will serve as one’s entry fee into the club.

Pat: For sure. We are actually creating a supergroup. Vulfpeck’s “ Concious Club” is a song about controlling breath rate and heart rate and relaxing the face. All training techniques we will be teaching you as you enter the “Conscious Club.”

What’s the best time of day/night to really experience your piece?

Moe: We will have a full Hulaween schedule of events posted online and at the event, but there will definitely be both day- and night-time activities, including official Spirit Lake performances, and Gamma Breathworkshops.

Pat: Any time, really, you can catch me painting live during the day and the night. We will be teaching a breath workshop when the sun is up, but once the sun drops we transform into something a little more high energy. My advice is to check us out both during the day and at night, two completely different experiences both worth seeing.

Besides Hulaween, where else can fans look forward to finding you in the coming months?

Pat: Right after Hulaween we head directly to Texas for UTOPIAFest. We hope to get back to Okeechobee Fest, have applied to Envision in Costa Rica, Gem and Jam in Arizona, and have secured the Virgin Island festival in March, which is gonna be insane! We will also be going on tour with our good friend Zach Deputy this winter, so chances are if you are at a Zach D show we will be there too.

Shill yourselves out! Where can readers find you guys and your amazing art online and social media?

Moe: Segues for days! www.becauseofthelotus.com, www.facebook.com/becauseofthelotus, www.instagram.com/becauseofthelotus, www.instagram.com/moestradamus Thanks so much, MFN!

Pat: I’m Pat Anglin on Facebook and www. instagram.com/pma55 Thanks so much, MFN!