Glow sticks and light up toys have always been a part of the live music communities, especially when the rave scene came along. I remember seeing a group of three individuals sitting down at Red Rocks amphitheatre receiving a glove show from someone who had the trio in a complete trance. I wondered how they could sit there and stare at a person’s hands when there was tens of thousands of dollars in custom lighting hitting every part of the venue. I never thought much of it, that is, until I got my first light show.

(Canon 50mm 10 second f18)

I met Zach my freshman year of college and we became friends right away because of our common interests in music and journalism​​. We were discussing plans to go to an event later in the week, and he said he was a glover and asked me if I wanted a light show. I said I would check it out, but didn’t really expect much. Zach blew me away within the first minute of Laughter Crescendo, which was also the first time I had heard that magical track. The way the different colors bled together and the flow in which Zach moved his hands and fingers to the beat of the music was simply magic. Zach made sure his chips were programmed to perfection; changing the colors and modes to fit the list of songs he wanted to perform to. He made sure that the outside lighting was just enough to add depth to the LEDs. To Zach, light shows could be an emotional experience between two people which evokes a unique connection with an art that incorporates story telling, musicality, dancing and, of course, bright lights.

Zach passed away on December 31, 2016 from complications due to epilepsy. Everyone was shocked by his sudden death and I am still struggling to accept it. While Zach’s life was cut much too short, he brought so much happiness and inspiration to everyone who was lucky enough to know him and experience one of his face-melting light shows. His pure dedication to every interest he had and every friend he made was inspiring. His bluntness and inquisitive nature was leveled out through his love for music and genuine conversations. My fondest memories of Zach included an amalgamation of colors and sounds.

I couldn’t get the lights out of my mind; so a couple months ago I ended up picking up an orbit from Things That Glow in Denver. I mainly got one to take experimental long exposure photographs, as light painting is currently one of my favorite methods of photography. What I didn’t expect was to fall in love with a piece of plastic housing and 4 LED chipsets and bulbs. I chose my color sets and picked a couple Zed’s Dead tracks to play while my camera took 10 second photos, and from my very first spin on the orbit I felt a rush of energy; a natural euphoria, a oneness with the music and the universe. As the lights transformed and pulsed in different modes, my mind did the same. I was in a state of trance and nothing could pull me away from the pretty lights.

(Canon 24mm 15 seconds 19f w/ND 3 filter)

Triggered by the electronic music movement and the lazers and light production which often accompany it, flow arts have become a staple in the culture and have even turned into a sport. It’s sad to see many events and venues banning flow arts, which I believe is mainly because of the “drug culture” many people often associate with LED flow. Flow arts are their own drug and don’t always need additional mind-altering substance to enjoy. I hope that the community can embrace all types of art and allow people to express themselves in the future. Flowarts aren’t just toys, they are a movement. Never stop creating art, and never stop inspiring others.

(Canon 24mm 8 second f20)

Donate to the Colorado Epilepsy Foundation here: http://www.epilepsycolorado.org/donate/