Welcome to the Pleasure Dome
Kubla Khan’s “stately pleasure dome” was just a fantasy, sprung from the head of poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge. But Coleridge would probably be astonished at what has become a reality at the LodeStar Astronomy Center, where artists, filmmakers, poets, scientists, animators and others are taking the planetarium dome format – and audiences -- to places that could only be imagined before.
In celebration of this exciting new medium, LodeStar will host the second annual DomeFest, as part of DigiFest Southwest. It’s the only festival in the world dedicated exclusively to dome-work, which incorporates video, animation, art and technology in a fully immersive, hemispheric experience that leaves necks craning, heads spinning and minds bending.
This year’s DomeFest will showcase some of the most innovative and awe-inspiring examples of dome-work from around the globe.
A world-class jury, including judges from Pixar and Disney, will choose the best pieces of 3 ½ minutes or less to screen on June 12, 2004 at the LodeStar planetarium. The 40-minute show will then travel to national and international screenings later in the year.
Creators in all mediums are welcome, including visual artists, filmmakers, video artists, 2D and 3D animators and science visualizers. Pieces will be judged on aesthetics, innovation, storytelling, and production qualities of the work to the fulldome medium.
Never done a piece for the dome? Don’t worry. If you’ve got the concept, we’ve got the software to get you started. Go to our technical page to find out more about how to make full-dome productions and to download tools to help you join the full-dome revolution. For entry information, click here.
