I recently went to my first Anaheim Ducks game at the Honda Center. I sat astounded surrounded by a virtual light show of magnificent sight, sound, fashion choices, and flying balloon sculpture. I understood why people pay $40 a ticket. When the light show and music stop all you see is, hockey.Sporting venues know the value of a great lighting artist. They are conductors of mood and feeling. It expands the original experience. I wondered if people were really present to what they were experiencing. That this form of illustration art featuring music and light was controlling their actions, telling them when to cheer, when to settle down. It was doing what all great art does. Create an emotional response.
I was fascinated by the remote controlled aerial lamb sculpture circling the stadium dropping phamplets. They wanted to experience this grand piece of art. People wanted it to come near them, fly over them. They were happy when it flew directly over them and they could catch what it was dropping, and disappointed when it wouldn't fly their way. Even the girls baring their mid-driffs running out to scoop up ice were artistically inspired. No one would be paying attention if they were dressed in turtlenecks and big thick parkas.
People in Sunny Southern California are filling the Honda Center not just to watch a bunch of guys play hockey. They are going for an experience enhanced by light, music,fashion design, and sculptures floating through the air.
