IT’S SHOWTIME

POLYGON REFLECTS ON CREATING PSYCHEDELIC VISUALS FOR TAME IMPALA’S 2020 WORLD TOUR

In February 2020, Polygon was given the chance to work on visuals for the world tour of Tame Impala, the psychedelic project of Australian multiinstrumentalist Kevin Parker. “It was a great opportunity for me because the equipment and technology used to showcase the live visuals and elevate the live show was just absolutely gigantic,” he tells 3D World. “Kevin Parker is passionate about analogue machines and modular synths, he likes old-school aesthetics, so we were bound to get along on this project, and indeed it happened really naturally.” Often given full creative control on the content he creates for clients, Polygon instinctively went with a strong 70s and 80s aesthetic, full of geometric shapes and colours that he felt fitted Tame Impala’s universe. “I really like to highlight the artist in my visuals,” he explains. “I often ask them to send me videos of themselves when I can’t film them, and then I rework the videos and integrate them into the visuals.”

Although Polygon wants the audience’s jaws to drop when they see his visuals in the live environment, he is careful not to steal attention from the performer. “The balance between the visuals and the artist performing is the most delicate aspect to manage,” he adds. “The audience should not be overwhelmed by what’s happening on the screens.”

Once the work is done, Polygon finds live visuals immensely rewarding. “It’s a crazy feeling to see my work on giant screens that often exceed ten metres in height,” he adds.