Pyromancy

‘Pyromancy’ is the latest show from an evolving sequence of video projects developed through our increasing use of video projection and VJ techniques, soundtrack production and precise pyrotechnic control.

The manipulation and editing of found and our own video content forms a stunning and poignant narrative of mankind’s relationship with the natural environment. This combined with a driving soundtrack, the firing of specialist pyrotechnics and gas flame projectors within the alotted physical or architectural space, takes the experience of outdoor video projection and pyrotechnics a stage further.

This beautiful and dramatic piece of art and spectacle would act as either a terrific opening or finale performance piece.

The prototype performance was commissioned and realised for the Bradford ‘Stir’ Festival in July 2007 to great acclaim. Subsequently we have received a good response from screen managers, festivals and local authority events departments.

External Combustion is seeking interest from events managers and festival directors throughout the UK and beyond and would be delighted to discuss this project in greater detail with you and your team. The company’s artistic director may be contacted from the details below.

DVD documentation of the show and video piece along with technical specification are available on request.

“A delicious blend of film, motion graphics, sound, light and pyrotechnics provided a stunningly visual and entertaining piece of art. It captured the spirit of the festival bringing a fresh contemporary piece of work to the newly developed space in Centenary Square.

Dynamically entertaining new work for a new space  “

Vanessa Mitchell - Events Manager, Theatres, Arts & Festivals.

Download the Pyromancy flyer pdf

Tattooed Truck

An outdoor venue for the ‘Pyromancy’ show, live mixed visuals and sound from resident Filmmakers and VJ’s and guest DJ’s and VJ’s.

External Combustion has developed a new set of video, sound and pyrotechnic shows, which involve the use of projection, sound, flame and precision pyrotechnics. A big part of this project is the acquisition and customization of a 57-year old Austin K9 truck and investment in computers, vision mixers, DVD playback and projection technology to form a front of house system with real presence in any space.

The ‘Tattooed Truck’ is to be regarded as an all night sound and video space, acting as an outdoor venue and meeting place for audiences (“ Meet you at the Tattooed Truck”) and a performance space for Pyromancy and other performers requiring PA and visuals or, perhaps working with us to create shows, as we have done in the past at Glastonbury festival.

An important part of this project is that it is available as a facility for guest artists, DJ’s, VJ’s and filmmakers from other parts of the festival, who will get slots to perform or present work, just bring their decks and laptops. An evening of slots can be arranged for specific styles and genres of sound and vision.

Now in collaboration with

Download the pdf for more information

O to be a Dragon

“If I, like Solomon, ...
could have my wish --
my wish -- O to be a dragon,
a symbol of the power of Heaven -- of silkworm
size or immense; at times invisible.
Felicitous phenomenon!”
Marianne Moore
 
The dragon has long been a creature of mystery; while dragons have widely been accepted as pure fantasy, there has always been an unsure element to their elusive existence, suggesting a corporeal life. The dragon has never been physically present in our world, yet despite this we still question their non-existence and find our selves drawn deeper into their mystery. For centuries, dragon existence has been the merging of human imagination, religious beliefs and popular folklore. Their existence has never been proved, yet the dragon remains tantalising close, bordering on the realm of fantasy and paranormal possibility.
 
A son-et-lumiere show, dramatically illustrating the myth of the dragon through music, narration, light, flame and fireworks. The show will be full of surprises and thrilling spectacle for all the family.

Totem

‘Totem 3’, an abstract performance of symbols, fire, noise, colour and light celebrates the changing of the seasons through pure sensation and raw energy.
 
Fiery wheels turn, lights and sounds pulsate, fire and pyrotechnic devises are blended to create new elements and structures, melding and morphing. Light and structures are brought together to form the ultimate totem, transmitter of light and symbol of orientation and longevity.  A beacon in a strange and mystifying universe.
 
The order of nature and human kind are connected through earth’s rhythms and seasons and the universes cyclical sequences. We attempt to understand and reinterpret all things. We create machines to transmit and receive. Like the beam from a lighthouse: steady, immutable. A remorseless light of truth: stable and deep.
 
The company will present totem. A 20 minute show involving fire and light set pieces, crane flowen lighting and sculpure, precision pyrotechnics and a soundtrack which will leave the audience astonished. By combining sculptural and mechanical structures with specialist pyrotechnics, special effects, sonic, smoke and fire effects; we will build a surreal landscape of burning forms.