CLEVELAND - Four outdoor light exhibits, including the laser display 'Global Rainbow' light up Cleveland through Saturday evening. LAND Studios commissioned artists to bring the exhibits to Cleveland for the AHA! Cleveland Festival which coincides with opening of Gay Games 9 this weekend. Yvette Mattern created the Global Rainbow which has been displayed in 14 cities around the world. Although the rainbow is used by the GLBT community to show inclusiveness. Cleveland is the first time she has been commissioned to use her laser creation for a gay-themed event. "I've always wanted to do the rainbow specifically for the gay community, but I've never had the opportunity," Mattern said at a reception Wednesday evening. "A gay organization has never actually commissioned it, so it's great that it's together and I'm thrilled." Seven lasers have been set up in the Great Lakes Science Center to shoot the rainbow over Cleveland. Mattern said in some cities, the show could be seen 50 miles away. Mattern suggested the best view of the rainbow is directly beneath the lasers. She said from some vantage points, like from the sides, the lights are nearly invisible. Other light exhibits are on display on Mall B between Lakeside and St. Clair avenues over the Cleveland Convention Center. Obscura Digital is using 3-D mapping technology to display moving images on the exterior wall of Public Auditorium. "The Pool" is a interactive series of lights on the grass of the mall. Lights change colors and grow in brightness as people step on the light pads. The fourth display "Drawing Lines" is housed in the Eastman Garden of the downtown Cleveland Public Library. The light shows will be illuminated each evening through Saturday Aug. 9 from dusk until midnight. Support for the project was provided by Cleveland Public Power and Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.

Original Article