Elektra 11: a one-stop shop for sensory assault

If you’ve ever watched the cult TV show Freaks and Geeks, you might remember an episode where the characters go to a laser show, completely stoned and eager to enjoy a hazy night. Despite not having a laser dome, the 11th edition of Elektra, a fine festival showcasing the best international and local audiovisual artists, is set to enhance those senses of yours during five consecutive days in May.

One of the highlights this year is the Laser Sound Performance by Edwin van der Heide at Usine C, which promises to take simple elements like smoke and lights, and turn them into a wild sensorial experience. If you’re looking for something more serene, however, check out Luc Courchesne’s Immersion soleil couchant (après Monet) at the Cinémathèque Québécoise. Courchesne uses a panoramic projection of beach landscapes from around the globe that will make you feel like you’re right there, under the beaming sun and building sand castles.

Ever wondered if a machine could dream? Multimedia wizard Ben Bogart reveals what an artificial intelligence android can dream about, by making daily associations of stimuli that are turned into dreamlike fusions at night. If the mere thought of this makes you drowsy, then head over to the Sonic Bed Québec section, which allows you to lie down on a bed made up of hidden subwoofers, and immerse your entire body in fine melodious vibrations.