Event

Opticlash 2

4 Culture, Art Patch, Seattle Foundry and Punch Drunk Productions present:

Opticlash 2

is the 2nd annual VJ Battle in Seattle. Like a DJ battle, our contestants pit their live performance prowess against one another: instead of scratching records and mixing music, they mix video images on two huge screens. A live DJ plays music to which the VJs sculpt their video art, all in real-time.

What is a VJ? Why battle? VJs are video jockeys â artists who mix and project powerful video images in real-time to heighten and intensify a wide variety of concerts, performances, and shows. VJs increasingly appear at a diverse array of events and venues across the world. The battle format pushes the art of VJing to the edge, inspiring new levels of creativity, skill, and innovation. The Battle showcases the genreâs premier talent.

Competitors face off in a head-to-head, elimination-style battle on two screens. Rounds will be set to live DJ sets played by Seattle favorites J-Justice, Aaron Simpson, and Swank. The winner will be selected by a panel of local judges and will take home a $1000 Edirol V-4 video mixer as grand prize.

Judges for the Opticlash 2 VJ Battle are Gary Tucker (director of communications and community programming: SIFF), Gregg Grinnell (senior broadcast editor: KIRO Television), Donte Parks (writer: The Stranger, Seattlest.com), Kris Moon (co-founder: Laptop Battle, educational director: Decibel Festival), and Cheryll Hidalgo (video program director: Seattle Academy of Arts and Sciences).

Opticlash 2 is hosted by Kid Hops (KEXP 90.3 FM). A portion of proceeds from Opticlash 2 will be donated to Seattle-based non-profit ReelGrrls: Empowering girls through media production.

Tickets are $15 advance