The Dynamite Show

Similarly to most of Koen Theys’ work, ’The Dynamite Show’ also shows a fascination with contemporary iconography. This video was built from video images of various explosions, developed by several American companies, who specialize in special effects for Hollywood films. Over a period of 8 minutes close to 200 different explosions are brought together, which results in a psychedelic panorama of shimmering explosions and seething eruptions of colour and form. In slow motion it’s as if these all-consuming eruptions do herald new signs of life; not a battlefield, but a courtship display of tiny organisms and illusive atmospheres, trying to escape from the screen at full force. At the same time the overwhelming sound wave, a layered composition based on professional effects and material of his own, is experienced as an eruption and an energy source, both terrifyingly desperate and unworldly fascinating.