{"id":116332,"date":"2025-07-29T14:03:31","date_gmt":"2025-07-29T18:03:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=116332"},"modified":"2025-08-19T15:20:27","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T19:20:27","slug":"interview-origin-light-creators-christian-ilumin-lianne-baron-creating-torontos-first-immersive-orchestral-drone-show","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/07\/29\/interview-origin-light-creators-christian-ilumin-lianne-baron-creating-torontos-first-immersive-orchestral-drone-show\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | The Origin Of Light: Creators Christian Ilumin &#038; Lianne Baron On Creating Toronto\u2019s First Immersive Orchestral Drone Show"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_116334\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-116334\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-116334\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-91.jpg\" alt=\"The Origin of Light visualization (Image courtesy of Ilumin\/Portal Nine)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-91.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-91-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-91-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-INTERVIEW-91-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-116334\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Origin of Light visualization (Image courtesy of Ilumin\/Portal Nine)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>On August 26, 2025, for one night, the skies above Fort York will be transformed into a dazzling show that combines drones, multimedia, and a live orchestra. Recent drone shows in Brazil and Las Vegas have sparked a sensation; now it\u2019s Toronto\u2019s turn to become a showcase for the innovative tech.<\/p>\n<p>Conductor Carlos Bastidas and The Ontario Pops Orchestra will provide the musical score for both the drones and vocalist Arlene Paculan to flesh out the story of Lyra, a cosmic being, and her search for meaning and redemption.<\/p>\n<p>Illumin Drone Shows provides the aerial drone choreography, with an immersive art installation designed by Lianne Baron of Portal Nine that combines projection-mapped visuals and ambient lighting that will surround the audience in 360-degrees.<\/p>\n<h2>The Production<\/h2>\n<p>Fort York will be reimagined as an open-air stage for 1,500 guests.<\/p>\n<p>Lyra\u2019s story is an emotional arc that takes her from celestial beginnings to a dark downfall, and then a rebirth. Light and sound become part of her story of transformation. The score blends cinematic music, pop ballads, and orchestral music, including works by Hans Zimmer, Metallica, Swedish House Mafia, Billie Eilish, and Disney classics.<\/p>\n<p>Maestro <strong>Carlos Bastidas<\/strong> is an award-winning conductor, composer, and music director of the <strong>Ontario Pops Orchestra<\/strong>. He has led orchestras on international stages through Canada and Europe. With OPO, he has become recognized for his accessible approach to programming, and commitment to community engagement. He\u2019ll be leading a 15-piece string orchestra drawn from OPO members.<\/p>\n<p>Singer-songwriter <strong>Arlene Paculan<\/strong> has performed across North America and in Europe in a 15+ year career. She is based in Mississauga, where her band Arlene &amp; the People won the Best Live Artist\/Band Award at the 2024 Mississauga Music Awards.<\/p>\n<p>The lightscape expands across the full size of Fort York grounds. Hundreds of drones move in synchronization with the live orchestra, and elements that include projection mapping, artistic stage design, and audio-reactive lighting.<\/p>\n<p>Highlights of the performance include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>At Lyra\u2019s climactic awakening in the story, the Ontario Pops Orchestra performs \u201cClarity\u201d by Zedd (feat. Foxes);<\/li>\n<li>Vocalist <strong>Arlene Paculan<\/strong> joins the Orchestra for \u201cGravity\u201d by Sara Bareilles;<\/li>\n<li>The drone choreography forms geometric symbols and constellations, and pulses in sync with the music.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_116337\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-116337\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-116337\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2025-07-29T135930.997.jpg\" alt=\"The Origin of Light co-creators L: Christian Ilumin; R: Lianne Baron (Photos courtesy of the artists)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2025-07-29T135930.997.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2025-07-29T135930.997-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2025-07-29T135930.997-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-Copy-of-INTERVIEW-2025-07-29T135930.997-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-116337\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The Origin of Light co-creators L: Christian Ilumin; R: Lianne Baron (Photos courtesy of the artists)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>The Interview<\/h2>\n<p>We spoke to co-creators <strong>Lianne Baron<\/strong> of Portal Nine and <strong>Christian Ilumin<\/strong> of Ilumin Drone Shows about the ambitious project.<\/p>\n<p>Christian Ilumin is the founder of Illumin Drone Shows, a company that combines cutting edge tech with an artistic sensibility. Corporate clients have included TD Bank, Range Rover, and the VELD<br \/>\nMusic Festival, and the company is the official drone partner of the City of Toronto. The company\u2019s goal is to create unique experiences that combine technical innovation, art, music, and storytelling.<\/p>\n<p>Lianne Baron founded Portal Nine, her creative studio, after working at Meta, where she managed global creator AR \/ AI partnerships and produced the augmented reality layer for Coachella, Art Basel, and other cultural events. At Portal Nine, she works with both traditional and emerging technologies to create transformative experiences for audiences.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s a passion project, for sure,\u201d says Lianne Baron. She says The Origin of Light will a pilot for this kind of performance in Canada. \u201cIt literally will be the first of its kind in Canada.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She notes that Canadian regulations around the safety issues involved with the show are more stringent than those in the US, which probably accounts for the slower launch of multimedia drone shows here.<\/p>\n<p>She came together with Christian out of the shared interest. \u201cI think both Lianne and I have very similar ideas,\u201d Christian says. They connected professionally, and realized they shared the same kind of vision for a show.<\/p>\n<p>The logistics were formidable. \u201cIt comes with a lot of planning,\u201d he says. \u201cIt&#8217;s not been done to an orchestra here,\u201d Christian adds. \u201cThere&#8217;s a lot of technical challenges.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Lianne calls their professional relationship \u201ca lovely convergence\u201d. \u201cHe&#8217;s very much a leader,\u201d she says of Christian. \u201cI&#8217;m kind of managing the grounds. That&#8217;s been my zone of genius.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Her design elements include mixed and augmented reality that blend into the aerial show. Putting all the pieces of the puzzle together is where the artistry lies.<\/p>\n<p>The music is an integral part of storytelling. \u201cOur partner there is Carlos Bastidas and the Ontario Pops Orchestra,\u201d Christian says. \u201cHe&#8217;s a wonderfully experienced maestro.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It took a few months to assemble all the working parts. Both Baron and Ilumin have international experience putting together large scale shows and projects, but Toronto presents a unique environment.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s, obviously for me, being able to fly in Toronto was key in understanding limitations in locations,\u201d Christian says.<\/p>\n<p>The downtown area is clearly limited in that respect. Getting approvals from the city offered another set of challenges. \u201cI stuck to areas that we know,\u201d he says. The waterfront was clearly a preference, and Ilumin\u2019s project with TD Bank, who had requested a downtown location, became a learning experience when it came to exploring feasible options. He says the city staff were keen to see the tech in use in Toronto.<\/p>\n<p>The TD event was a success, and laid the groundwork for The Origin of Light at Fort York, with its fenced area, one that is close to the downtown core without being in the middle of it.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt worked in so many different ways,\u201d Christian says.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_116338\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-116338\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"size-full wp-image-116338\" src=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-2025-07-29T135337.381.jpg\" alt=\"Images from the VELD Festival, effects courtesy of Illumin Drone Shows (Photos courtesy of Illumin)\" width=\"1200\" height=\"628\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-2025-07-29T135337.381.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-2025-07-29T135337.381-300x157.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-2025-07-29T135337.381-1024x536.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2025\/07\/Copy-of-CRITICS-PICKS-2025-07-29T135337.381-768x402.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-116338\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Images from the VELD Festival, effects courtesy of Illumin Drone Shows (Photos courtesy of Illumin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h3>Storytelling With Light<\/h3>\n<p>Lyra\u2019s story is a kind of fable. \u201cI would say so,\u201d Lianne says. \u201cIt&#8217;s really a lovely collaboration between the two of us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Developing the story and premise was a project that evolved over time. \u201cIt has been a couple of years,\u201d Christian says. \u201cI wanted to be able to tell a story.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When he started his company, naturally, there was an emphasis on brand activation and corporate work.<\/p>\n<p>Alongside the corporate work, the story gradually began to take shape. \u201cIt was something I started building out early. It evolved over the last couple of years,\u201d he explains.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI knew it had to be about a star, a celestial being,\u201d he says. \u201cI named her Lyra.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The show describes her journey from birth, development and maturing, and the ups and downs of existence using the medium of light. \u201cThe end of it is having her realize her purpose and her dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Integrating it with music was the next step. Bit by bit, the pieces came together. \u201cI put it into my pocket for a while,\u201d he says. He pitched the idea to Lianne a couple of months ago.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhat was striking about the story is that it felt familiar,\u201d Lianne says. The emotional basis of the story is universal. \u201cAs we&#8217;re born into this world, we have a vibration.\u201d As we get older, the world offers challenges to that vibration. She notes the images include a rising phoenix \u2014 a symbol of rebirth and resurgence.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis is such a beautiful way to articulate this story,\u201d she says. \u201cWe can really put some real authentic emotion in this show.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The multi-sensorial approach draws the audience into the story with what she describes as a healing vibe.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt was easy to develop the score,\u201d she says. \u201cIt&#8217;s quite magical how the narrative has come together.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>How many drones will be used? \u201cThere are going to be hundreds,\u201d Ilumin says. \u201cIt&#8217;s about the flow of the story. Every drone has its own personality and we want to make sure they are all marching to the same tune when we need them to.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a challenge he says he\u2019s excited for. \u201cWe\u2019e done similar activations, but not to this scale.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey are kind of the visual orchestra,\u201d Lianne says of the drones.<\/p>\n<h3>Toronto: The Next Immersive Drone Show Capital?<\/h3>\n<p>The large, complex project has been designed to put Toronto on the map for similar projects.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s really positioning Toronto to be a global player,\u201d Lianne says.<\/p>\n<p>The tighter regulatory environment in Canada results in a different level of production. \u201cThis allows us to start playing in that field, but coming in a little bit higher,\u201d she says. \u201cWe don&#8217;t always get credit in Canada for being forefront leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As she points out, Fort York, with a history that has both darker and lighter moments, adds an additional significance to the production.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe love this kind of presence of having this historical space,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<p>The hope is to take their show on the road and look for similar spaces across Canada to present The Origin of Light.<\/p>\n<p>As the pair emphasize, this is a made-in-Toronto show that puts Canadian innovation and technology under the spotlight as well.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Find details and tickets for the August 26 show [<strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.universe.com\/events\/the-origin-of-light-tickets-QCRNJP\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">HERE<\/a><\/strong>].<\/li>\n<li>NEW: note that the original date of August 19 was rescheduled due to predicted rainfall. Please check the link for details.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong><em>Are you looking to promote an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/advertising\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"color: #0e101a;\"><u>event<\/u><\/span><\/a>? Have a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/masthead\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>news tip<\/u><\/a>? Need to know the best\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/events\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><u>events<\/u><\/a>\u00a0happening this weekend? 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