News

Son et lumière — “Sound & Light”— is a form of nighttime entertainment that is usually presented in outdoor venues of historic significance. The concept is credited to Paul Robert-Houdin, who was the curator of the Château de Chambord in France, host of the world’s first son et lumière in 1952.

In our modern interpretation, digital projection mapping of the old County Courthouse on historic Palafox Street will enable a spectacular mashup of technology and history, where scenes, people, and imagery from 200 years ago will come to life in a dazzling, interactive–yet undeniably modern–experience.

LA-based Paintscaping, who with the University of West Florida brought Paintscaping to Pensacola in 2014 and has mapped an operational rocket at Cape Canaveral in 2020 and holds the Guinness World Record for largest game display for Xbox, will work with local marketing company Ideaworks to create and execute an augmented reality experience in the heart of downtown Pensacola.

With support and assistance from the University of West Florida’s Archeology Institute, this project will bring to life vignettes from the time of America’s acquisition of Florida from Spain—the birth year of Escambia County. Then, the former County Courthouse will be transformed into a virtual architectural canvas, and scenes, extra dimensions, optical illusions, fantastical lights and notions of movement will be programmed to create a riveting public show that is triggered by audio.

Detail

• Days: Nov. 4 – 7, 2021
• Time: 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. (w/ shows every 30 minutes)