People around the world usually gather outdoors on December 31 to watch spectacular fireworks. But with the steady increase in coronavirus cases, the Space Needle in Seattle decided to make the experience accessible from home – and it was bigger, more trippy and more stunning than ever.
Instead of the regular fireworks show on the Space Needle, employees of the iconic landmark opted to create a digital light show experience that displayed stunning visuals of life, science and illusions that were out of this world.
As stated on the Space Needle website, organizers used sky mapping technology and video footage to create the show, which was only visible on the screen. People who visited the tourist spot in person only saw the Space Needle illuminated in a magenta color.
Twitter users were quick to comment on how epic – and mind-boggling – the New Year celebration was.
Many Twitters users compared the event to a hallucinogenic experience.
Others, however, described the show as the product of extraterrestrial collaboration or the work of a science fiction dystopia.
While not exactly a connection to life outside this world, Terry Morgan, the visionary behind the show, told the Seattle Times that it is the product of a vivid dream he had earlier this year.
“I was semi-conscious in the dream and the sky was just beautiful colors and faces, all kind of floating like clouds in the sky,” Morgan told the Times. “And it was really one of those remarkable dreams.”
Morgan decided to take the idea to Karen Olson, director of operations and marketing director at Space Needle, and, as the Times reported, the concept was developed in just a few months.
“This was not something planned a year ago,” said Morgan. “Since the Space Needle decided that it was not physically making fireworks because of social restrictions due to COVID, it really came up and became an alternative.”
It may have been just an alternative, but for the people who attended the event, it may just be the future.