In Memoriam: Bob Lewis (1949 - 2018)
Liquid Light Lab is saddened to learn about the passing of Bob Lewis. He was a friend with whom I shared a passion for light shows, video art, science, and the psychedelic experience. He continues to be a source of inspiration.
Bob’s legacy goes back to the earliest days of the light show in the 1960s of London. Working with boiling slides and rudimentary projectors, Bob began doing shows at the legendary UFO Club, accompanying musicians like the then-emerging The Pink Floyd. He went on start Nu-Clear Vue, and worked with other groups like Krishna Lights, expanding to multi-projector multi-media shows on a massive 30′ x 220′ circular screen which enveloped the audience at the Roundhouse.
Bob Lewis moved back to the US in the 70s and delved into the emerging video technology of the day. He became a researcher at MIT’s Center for Advanced Visual Studies, and later a professor of television at Massachusetts College of Art. Bob would then start Video Visuals, which became the largest AV vendor for live events in the New England region of the United States.
I first met Bob online, in various chat groups for light and video art. We would talk in threads and privately at length about the medium. I enjoyed these discussions very much. Bob was a true Master of the craft, with an intuitive understanding of the art and it’s implications.
Several years later, Bob wrote me with the sad news that he was sick. He asked if I would come to Boston and take custody of his light show. He wanted it ‘to be used’ and not thrown away. I drove up from NYC, meeting Bob in person finally, and we spent an afternoon having the most amazing conversations about light shows and art. He passed on a wealth of wisdom and information, along with an incredible and sizeable collection of vintage projectors, modern projectors, hand painted slides, film, color wheels, motors, Lumia mirrors, inks, gels, lasers, glass, rigging equipment, and even a bottle of mercury. Much of this gear was modified or made by hand, and spans nearly 50 years of life. I am honored to have it, and rest assured it is being used!
Until we meet again - Steve
I’d like offer a selection of Bob’s video work, which I hope you enjoy. Represented here are some vintage light, video, and psychedelic experiments from the 70s and 80s, along with some personal art and interesting (and humorous) commercials he worked on:
1971 Light Show and Video Mash - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lv9Zg0sdhmQ
Vintage Video Feedback - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bmgk8JByBg0
PopVusic Rescan Video Art (1983) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxjwPqqPyas
Souvenirs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Mwh0l_whDw
Parker Brothers Toy Fair - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VPRuUKXtmM
Laser Ballet Lumia (1971) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW4ad9m1xVA
Orrs island - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UB6furNmVdE
Modulated Laser Reflections - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eB34OKYc4Ww
Colored Fractal Feedback (1983) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_nm3MAp93Q
Soundscope Reccord Store Commercial (1974) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJFDcwJGqmI
Busy Oxford Street, Things and People I Remember (1975) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0EIAZ08tJc
Happy Jack O’ Lantern - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5az4hq70hBI
WGBH Interview, 1/2 Inch Video Tape Convention - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=98I8AeoUC3I
See more of Bob Lewis’ video work at BobVidPix -https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTCMqODxlTkD7eh6w5es-Bw
