Traxxs

Traditional Canvas meets Ground-breaking 21st Century F/X

During Crankworx 2009 the Whistler Cultural Capital of Canada project of TRAXXS came to life. World class mountain bikers, world class mountains, state of the art technology and artistic imagination combined for some unique and visually stunning artistic creations.

More about TRAXXS:

You know about Kokanee CrankWorx, don’t you? You know it’s the most exciting mountain biking festival in the world. You know you’ll see superbly-skilled athletes doing things on two wheels, one wheel and in mid-air that were thought impossible not that long ago. Well, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

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Kokanee Crankworx, the world’s first premier mountain-biking festival and TRAXXS event sponsor, will host of the premiere showing of TRAXXS in August 2009. Projected on twin Jumbotron Screens, TRAXXS will be seen live by 20,000 on-site spectators and a worldwide web audience of 100,000+ via streaming video. Click on the arrow for a preview by TRAXXS master artist/co-producer Matt Elson. Bet you can't wait for Kokanee CrankWorx 2009!

 

TRAXXS marries one of humankind’s oldest mechanical technologies — the bicycle — with a suite of its newest technologies: digital imaging, GPS positioning recording, 3-D terrain mapping, and artistic computer software. The result simply has to be seen to be believed. What tumbles out of the creative process, the choreography of athlete and artist, is mixed media eye-candy that redefines the genre of physical art.

Created and co-produced by Matt Elson and Monte Gast, TRAXXS is a full motion video palette that blurs the lines between the real and the virtual worlds while it marries artist and athlete to produce a truly remarkable offspring: athletic art or perhaps artistic athletics. One thing’s for certain, what you’ll call it after you see it this August on twin Jumbotron screens with 20,000 of your closest friends, is… mind-blowing!

TRAXXS FAQ

Who’s behind it?

· American digital and mountain sports artist Matt Elson and Canadian Monte Gast created and co-produced TRAXXS. Elson, as master ‘painter’, joins forces with a team of elite local and international athletes, artists, photographers, producers, directors, videographers, computer graphics technicians, musicians, audio mixers, cameramen, programmers, special effects magicians and editors to produce the ultimate digital art mix.

What’s the subject?

· Whistler Mountain is the canvas’ backdrop. World class mountain bikers are the performers. Their two-wheeled movement through the vertical and linear world is transformed by the artist’s eye using an array of cutting edge technology. The result is a breathtaking panorama of literal and surreal images at once familiar and foreign. The overall effect? “Hey, I wanna see that again.”

How’s it done?

· The athletes, wearing GPS units, wheel their stuff through both random and predetermined routes. Their movements and tricks are tracked digitally via GPS and camera feeds, enhanced and transformed with Maya 3-D and special effects. Underpinning this dynamic input is context: layers of previously shot video, still images and motion graphics. This background provides depth and grounding to the athletic dance being played out on top of it.

Where did it come from?

· Some of the content was shot at last year’s CrankWorx. Some will be captured this August at the 2009 CrankWorx. Still and video photographers will be shooting athletes, resort guests, landscapes, maybe even you! All this raw material will be blended with a sorcerer’s skill into the final performance piece.

Where’s it going to be shown?

· Jumbotrons in Skiers’ Plaza, delay screens in various key locations in Whistler Village, a gallery showing some of Matt Elson’s ScreenArt and static canvas and paper hangings and an Internet simulcast will all showcase TRAXXS and associated work by this gifted artist.

Who’s going to be there?

· Everyone… miss this and you’ll be the pity of your friends for years to come. 

How do I reach TRAXXS?

www.mattelson.com