The excitement for BLINK’s IRL experiential takeover of Cincinnati is growing, not just because we’re in closer proximity to the official date, but also thanks to the exciting second wave of artists. With a hand-selected group of local and global artists across a variety of mediums all working to create something magical against the Cincinnati skyline, there is plenty to look forward to. BLINK, Illuminated by ArtsWave, is expanding and highlighting the overlap between the physical and the digital, uniting people in pursuit of truly immersive art. The nation’s largest light, art, and projection mapping experience returns to Cincinnati for the first time since 2019, complete with an all-star roster.

BLINK operates on a large scale, with an entire city as the canvas. With such a primed and ready jumping off point, it seems only right that they announce another wave of incredible muralists ready to tackle walls and buildings. Thanks to BLINK Co-Founder, Executive Creative Director, and Agar Partner Andrew Salzbrun, the mural program has grown and flourished. 

“The goal is to assemble one of the best collections of street art in the world. We are creating opportunities for people to explore and see world class public art right here in Cincinnati and really engage in conversation around it. I’m excited to say this will be the biggest year yet, with 17 murals as a part of Blink plus a handful of other murals and alley takeovers!”

The incredible collection of murals will again be concentrated in the Findlay Market area, adding to the existing array of BLINK pieces. FAILE, Brooklyn-based artistic collaboration between Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller, brings their 20+ years of experience and fragmented style to BLINK this year. With existing murals in Covington, this is an exciting opportunity to create on the Cincinnati side as well. Bringing the pop culture element, L’Amour Supreme provides decades of reinterpreted comic books, action figures and monster movie references, twisted into his own lexicon of 21st century hyper pop imagery and displayed in mural form for attendees to enjoy. Canadian painter and muralist Michelle Hoogveld will weave a vibrant tapestry of color, aiming to create a shared experience for all BLINK-goers. Chroma Projects brings their decade of global experience in murals and experiential art, creating something truly wonderful for the occasion. Multidisciplinary artist Greg Mike also takes the proverbial BLINK stage, creating a mural through his personal lens of Surrealist Pop Art. Ever excited about new mediums and exploring the area between, he will be collaborating to add projection to the finished piece. 

Mike’s piece certainly isn’t the only instance of projection in this epic experience. This year also holds the exciting return of George Berlin, who will be projection mapping onto Hotel Covington in NKY. More returning favorites are coming, with Greg D’Amico also doing projection mapping in NKY at the Gateway Center. BLINK is partnering and leveraging the power of the region’s emerging talent as well. Miami University College of Creative Arts Students from the  Emerging Technology in Business and Design Department (ETBD) are creating a piece as part of their Immersive and Reactive Class this Fall. Local artist Kyle Eli Ebersole is working with Jenny Ustick to project her James Brown Mural, Mr. Dynamite, which celebrates Cinci-based King Records. Inka also returns this year, with an updated projection on Faith47’s mural, which itself was a highlight of 2019. 

“We are grateful that Faith47’s mural based on Eirene, the Greek goddess of peace will be brought to life again with the perceptive touch of Inka Kendzia as a projection art piece, carefully layering a narrative alluding to borders, government oppression, immigration, freedom of movement, peaceful protest and the strength of the human spirit.”

Let there be light! It wouldn’t be BLINK without truly remarkable light installation and the incredible roster of talent continues to grow. Florange by Emily Underwood utilizes 100+ strings of hanging flower sculptures that will be arranged so the viewer can move through the installation. A video projection will activate the sculptures to make them appear alive. Truly interactive, this experience invites participants to connect to an experience outside of themselves and become a part of something magical. For a moment of solace, Miserie from Courtney Zunis is a tunnel of mist designed to be a subtle, contemplative, personal experience. Kyle Eli Ebersole and Ian Molitors team up for Crescendo, a returning fan favorite interactive music and light installation. Featuring a stand up Ebersole piano originally built in Cincinnati during the 1940s, this multi-sensory experience lives up to its name, inviting musicians to interact directly with the work. With String Theory for Dummies, Daniel Shields creates a work that is accessible and interactive to the max through a collectively woven structure of yarn. Blink visitors are encouraged to interact, throwing available balls of yarn and making their own contribution to the work or playing with existing strands weaving their own elements. POOF! by Bradley Scherzer is a giant creature that plays well with humans relying on its bright and colorful good looks to get people to “feed" it, for truly kinetic experience. California-based group Building 180 brings installations from Inflatabill, Charles Gadekan, and Christopher Schardt. 

BLINK is undeniably a community experience, and thanks to Warmth, even the alleys are a party. The POC and Queer Femme led music series will host their own installation the Friday night of the event, gathering attendees to enjoy talented musicians and each others company.

A full running list of participating artists can be found on the BLINK website.