Mike Cooper - Video and Projection Work

To filter work by type click the links below. luminography     vfx     graphics     mapping     editing                      performance      installation      video

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The Invisible Jazz Labs, feat. Simon DeDeo (2018)

Part of a continuing series at the Space Upstairs where scientific lectures are blended with improvisational performance for a unique multimedia / multidisciplinary experience that breaks down the barriers between study and play. For this event we were joined by Simon DeDeo from Carnegie Mellon University, who discussed how the behavior of quantum particles gave rise to the many-worlds interpretation.

Camera: Tim Roberts and Joseph Kryniski 

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“Times Square” - Second Saturdays at The Space Upstairs (2017)

This installation was the culmination of years of projection mapping experimentation at the Space Upstairs. While projection mapping typically involves software that “learns” the physical environment and works from a digital facsimile, I painstakingly mapped every surface of this cluster of movable walls and boxes by hand in order to recreate our own version of Times Square, complete with animated traffic and scrolling “advertisements” featuring photography from past events. Below you can see the footage I created in its raw form; above is the end result.

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The Story of Static (2008, 2012, 2017)

One segment of The Pillow Project’s full-length work TWENTY EIGHTY-FOUR, Static tells the story of a victim of the ever-intensifying 24-hour news cycle. Originally produced in 2008 to coincide with the American presidential election, the projection was updated for another run in 2012, and then excerpted (with yet more updates—the news never stops!) in 2017 for the Point Park Connections student show. The above performance photos are from the 2017 version, as is the video, presented in its raw pre-projected form. The bottom photo shows a secondary installation from the 2012 performance, lovingly known as “Bullshit Mountain”.

Music: Radiohead - The Gloaming (DJ Shadow Remix)

The Pillow Project's Twenty Eighty-Four dazzles - Steve Sucato, Pittsburgh City Paper

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The Accidental Luminographer

“For the first time in my life, I suddenly found myself in a duet”: Videographer Mike Cooper shares the story behind the unexpected creation of his own artistic form.

This guest piece for Pittsburgh web magazine The Glassblock relates the origins of luminography---an original projection methodology that creates sensational and psychedelic imagery from nothing but a live video feed, no computers or filters necessary.

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Luminography at The Space Upstairs (2016-2017)

There are always new opportunities to work with luminography at the Space--here are some highlights from various performances and movement study sessions.

Light Between the Leaves, Leaves Upon a Lake

Piano: Dubravka Bencic and PJ Roduta

Violin: John Lambert

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A post shared by The Space Upstairs (@thespaceupstairs) on Mar 5, 2017 at 9:10am PST

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MEMORY 4 (2016)

I contributed projection effects for two portions of this full-length work by multidisciplinary performance duo slowdanger---first a raging sea, then an ever-shifting and accumulating tangle of the performers’ own bodies. This video encompasses the entire first half of the performance; my work can be seen from 23:30-34:32.

slowdanger continues its memory series - Steve Sucato, Pittsburgh City Paper

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slowdanger - Until You Die (2015)

Music video for the local multidisciplinary performance duo slowdanger. This video marries the live luminography effect with post-production editing to convey a high concept of worlds within worlds.

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Stranger Convention - Escape (2015)

One of two videos I was brought in to edit following a studio filming session with modern jazz band Stranger Convention.

Camera: Pearlann Porter

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Stranger Convention - Treat Yo’Self! (2015)

One of two videos I was brought in to edit following a studio filming session with modern jazz band Stranger Convention.

Camera: Pearlann Porter

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The Jazz Furnace (2013)

In collaboration with Space Upstairs resident chalk artist Jordan Bush, this project involved mapping a hand-drawn mural onto multiple projectors and then incorporating footage and motion graphics into the design. While projection mapping typically involves software that “learns” the physical environment and works from a digital facsimile, this was done completely manually with a custom-made grid pattern.

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Backlit in a Whole New D (2013)

This full-length work by The Pillow Project heavily featured luminography, an original projection methodology that creates sensational and psychedelic imagery from nothing but a live video feed, no computers or filters necessary. This video contains highlights of the live performance.

Editing and Direction: Pearlann Porter

Movement:  Riva Strauss, Zëk Stewart, Grant Haralson, Anna Thompson and Taylor Knight

Dance review: Pillow Project shows great vision - Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

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The Pillow Project [in three parts] part 1: Luminography

Luminography is an original projection methodology that creates sensational and psychedelic imagery from nothing but a live video feed, no computers or filters necessary. This video contains a handful of extended samples of the effect in action.

Editing: Pearlann Porter

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Luminography - 2011 Highlights

Luminography is an original projection methodology that creates sensational and psychedelic imagery from nothing but a live video feed, no computers or filters necessary. This video is a snapshot of our first year of development and experimentation with the technique.

Music: Sigur Rós - Hoppípolla

Luminography: Mike Cooper with Pearlann Porter 

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Unstuck (2011)

Inspired by the writing of Kurt Vonnegut, this piece attempts to capture the idea of becoming "unstuck in time"---fully aware of both the future and the past; overwhelmed by the weight of this awareness and yet unable to separate yourself from it. In its debut presentation at The Space Upstairs, the video was projected at life size, the performer tracing a path along a large black wall.

Movement: Brent Luebbert

Music: Radiohead - Electioneering

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Blown Away (2010)

One segment of The Pillow Project’s full-length work PAPER MEMORY, which explored the relationship between memories, abstract ideas, and reality--and how each influences the others.

Directed by Pearlann Porter

Movement: Brent Luebbert

Music: PJ Roduta

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Talking Our Heads Off (2010)

From a three-part series featuring the music of Talking Heads, this piece is a meticulous dance translation of the song’s classic music video.

Music: Talking Heads - (Nothing But) Flowers

Choreography: Pearlann Porter

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A Fight in 24 fps - Trailer (2010)

This piece, while featuring unique choreography and projection of its own, functioned as a “trailer” for a much longer piece the following year---both loosely adapting the plot of the film Fight Club.

Music: The Dust Brothers - This is Your Life

Choreography: Pearlann Porter

Movement: Taylor Knight