Let There be Neon’s Rudi Stern | New York City

We filmed this video of Rudi Stern’s performance/installation in New York’s East Village in 2001. Rudi personified what New York City used to be- a curious, authentic place for artists to create without the burden of money. Rudi painted beautiful worlds enveloped in illumination, set to beautiful music. Rudi’s analog light design(no digital LEDs) put on amazing shows- his beautiful painting and illustrations projected and synced perfectly onto the surface of softly rotating dioramas suspended from the ceiling. Only a heart filled with deep love could create and share such beauty with others! It was such an honor 18 years ago to record this experience on our miniDV camera. Just two nights before Sept 11, 2001, we were at Rudi’s studio in NJ for a huge party- his invitation boasting the twin towers on its cover... That evening was the last time we saw Rudi- filled with love, light, beaming, smiling- his kind, gentle eyes saying: let’s go play with light and color!&