Sun Ra - Sunset on the Nile video featuring Bill Sebastian's OVC (OuterSpace Visual
Communicator)
In 1978-1980 performances, Sun Ra added a large electronic creation, the Outerspace Visual Communicator, which produced images rather than sounds; this was performed at a keyboard by its inventor, Bill Sebastian. During concerts, the OVC usually was positioned at
center stage behind the Arkestra while Sebastian sat on stage with the musicians.
from Wikipedia
V86b. OVC Videos: Sunset on the Nile
Video short by Bill Sebastian, 1986. Made at Mission Control, Boston. 22 min. [Webber]
Includes studio footage with Virtual Reality; also early '70s footage of the Arkestra at the Pyramids. [Webber]
Entry from Moudry's Sun Ra TapeographyIncludes studio footage with Virtual Reality; also early '70s footage of the Arkestra at the Pyramids. [Webber]
For the completists, here is Calling Planet Earth by Sun Ra posted previously.
Video short by Bill Sebastian, 1986. Made at Mission Control, Boston. 13 min.
Calling Planet Earth (Ra)
The Arkestra: Ra-keyb, voc; Al Evans-tp; Fred Adams-tp; Tyrone Hill-tb; Marshall Allen-as; John Gilmore-ts; Danny Ray Thompson-bs; Eloe Omoe-bcl; James Jacson-bsn, perc; Bruce Edwards-eg; John Brown-d; June Tyson-voc. Dance, gesture, and Virtual Reality: Michael Ray, Barday, Eddie Thomas (Thomas Thaddeus), Atakatune. "Visuals performed by Bill Sebastian on the Outerspace Visual Communicator." [from package insert; thanks to Pleshar for the video]
Entry from Moudry's Sun Ra Tapeography
Many thanks to Marc E of Philadelphia for use of his tape!
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| Bill Sebastian, creator of the Outerspace Visual Communicator |
Return of the OVC
Recorded 1986 at Mission Control Studios, Westford, MA
Audio by Robert Suber - see subermusic.com
Visuals by Bill Sebastian - see visualmusicsystems.com
Best viewing is in dark room where the distance from your eyes to the screen is about the same as the screen width (50-60 degree FoV).
The OVC was the visual music instrument used to play the images. It was used in live concerts between 1978-1980. Equipment was built between 1981-1986 to capture the experience in video format. This was one of the last performances before we shut down the project.
Audio by Robert Suber - see subermusic.com
Visuals by Bill Sebastian - see visualmusicsystems.com
Best viewing is in dark room where the distance from your eyes to the screen is about the same as the screen width (50-60 degree FoV).
The OVC was the visual music instrument used to play the images. It was used in live concerts between 1978-1980. Equipment was built between 1981-1986 to capture the experience in video format. This was one of the last performances before we shut down the project.
I really can't believe my luck... Thanks to yotte for the blog, so many friends for the shares, and of course, SUN RA for getting the whole thing going... I was the guy who kept asking all last year "what about this tape or that one?" Holy Shit!!!!
ReplyDelete=D
Welcome back, =D - Try not to be such a stranger!
ReplyDeleteThere's more videos here... try clicking "Video" at the bottom right side of the page. That will link you to all of the vid posts (so far).