April 12, 2019 – Poetic Kinetics returns to Coachella to unleash their seventh, larger-than-life, roaming art installation—the return of the fan-favorite Coachella Astronaut, Overview Effect. With a track record for creating some of Coachella’s most iconic art, anticipation has been high among attendees eager to experience the newest spectacle the studio has in store.
Since the Astronaut’s show-stopping debut at Coachella 2014, where the kinetic sculpture swept the field as the festival’s most photographed installation, the giant explorer has been exploring the galaxy and beyond. This year, the fan-favorite has returned, transformed inside and out, with an important mission for Coachella, called “Overview Effect.”
The overview effect is the cognitive shift in awareness reported by some astronauts during spaceflight while viewing the earth from outer space. Humbled by the vision of our planet, our space traveler has realized there is no Plan(et) B. Visibly transformed by the incredible adventures all over the universe, the Astronaut’s mission is to share the story of the journey and to impart newfound wisdom: that all life must come together– across species, races, borders, and continents– to protect the special planet we all call home.
“Overview Effect” is a 36’ tall x 57’ long x 40’ wide mobile Astronaut that travels all over the festival grounds interacting with festival-goers. The suit is scarred, scorched and worn, carrying strange evidence of far-flung, alien places. Numerous wristbands from festivals across the galaxy adorn its wrists. Alien insects have pockmarked the visor and the underside of the dusty boots bear the remains of distant dance floors.
The gigantic kinetic sculpture features a unique range of interactive elements including radio-controlled animatronics in its arms and hands, giving it the ability to articulate life-like gestures, such as “peace,” “ok” and “thumbs up” signs. The visor of the Astronaut is equipped with video projection mapping, featuring video content that alludes to strange and whimsical intergalactic journeys. Through a live, interactive facial capture system, festival-goers become larger-than-life with their faces projected into the helmet visor three stories above, while their name simultaneously appears on the Astronaut suit’s enormous name tag.
