SYDNEY Sand artists are gaining favour as an amusing act to kick off a corporate activity.
“Sand art is very emotive,” said performer Brett Bower. “I find that my act is used to open award ceremonies and events. It sets the right tone for the audience.” Bower has entertained audiences around the region, including an incentive programme held last year at Suntec Singapore, hosted by MLC Australia, which flew in 600 delegates to the Lion City. More recently, he performed for IT storage services provider EMC at an outdoor gala dinner held in Hanoi.
Depending on client preferences, Bower fashions images out of sand on a backlit light box, his moves and the images’ synced to music. Each performance lasts about eight to nine minutes and ends with the client’s logo. With this type of art form, the magic often lies in the unexpected appearance of images from swift and subtle movements — which, before you know it, fade in transition with the swipe of an arm, only to reappear with the scattered rearrangement of more fine grain.
Sand art performances demand little in terms of venue considerations and logistics. Bower supplies his own equipment. The music comes in a USB Flash Drive and a video feed that he provides. And at most, he takes up approximately 2×3 metres of floor space. “It’s that simple,” said Bower.
Johna Baylon
