Founded in 2016 by multimedia artists Andrew O'Connor and John Smith, OPTICKS is an experimental projection and light art initiative based in Hamilton, ON. As of December, 2024, OPTICKS is registered as a not-for-profit incorporation.
We host 'Open Lab' sessions where people of all interest levels and backgrounds are encouraged to participate, explore, or socialize in the fields of projection and light art. Our locations often rotate, and the best way to stay updated is by following our Instagram page. Occasionally, as an informal larger group, we organize shows and participate in performances.
Want to attend an 'Open Lab'? Awesome! There is no cost or registration required. We do our best to provide enough table space and power, but we ask everyone to consider sharing resources (like table space, power bars, and projectors) to maximize participation. Our only rules are to be kind and welcoming to everyone—we aim to foster a space for learning, not ego. Additionally, please refrain from projecting obscene or highly offensive content, as we sometimes have families attending our events.
What makes OPTICKS unique is our encouragement of intermixing signals and overlapping projections. As sessions progress, this approach often results in the creation of unique, ethereal collages.
'OPTICKS' is named after a book by Sir Isaac Newton, in which he examined the “reflections, refractions, inflections, and colors of light.” We feel this concept encapsulates our shared interest in exploring light and projection arts. It’s a fitting name for our journey of exploration, experimentation, creation, and learning.
You can contact us via Instagram or email: hamiltonopticks@gmail.com
