Mountain of the Moon: The Fusion of Grateful Dead, Skiing, and Light-Suit Innovation
A spectacular event unfolded as Mickey Hart stood on an impressive ice sculpture of a mammoth's head adorned with Grateful Dead logos and laser projections. Nearby, skiers in LED suits awaited their turn on a massive hip feature lit up with neon colors. Shane Treat, the Chief Lighting Technician, ensured the safety of the 80-year-old drummer, Mickey Hart, who was also wearing a light suit. Treat, the inventor of the electrified light suits, played a crucial role in the upcoming film by Chris Benchetler, where the suits were a central element.
The relationship between the Grateful Dead's music and Chris Benchetler's creativity has been symbiotic, with Dead and Company incorporating Benchetler's work into their live shows. Treat, known as "Backcountry Jesus" in Benchetler's phone, has been an integral part of this journey. The upcoming film, "Mountain of the Moon," promises to showcase skiing, action sports, and the iconic Grateful Dead tracks, all enhanced by the innovative light suits created by Treat.
Chris Benchetler's venture into light-suit technology began with the 2014 film "Afterglow," leading to the groundbreaking "Fire on the Mountain" film in 2019. Despite the challenges faced during the production of "Fire," Benchetler and Treat persevered to create a visually stunning and technically advanced film. Now, with "Mountain of the Moon," the team has refined the light suits to ensure they work flawlessly, bringing Benchetler's vision to life.
To achieve the holographic effect desired by Benchetler, Treat collaborated with Arc'Teryx to develop new LED-illuminated suits with a unique design. The meticulous research and development process resulted in 14 suits with 22 proprietary LED-illuminated bones on each, creating a mesmerizing visual experience. Treat's expertise and dedication to innovation have been instrumental in realizing Benchetler's creative vision.
Despite the challenges and sacrifices involved in the production of "Mountain of the Moon," Treat's unwavering commitment to the project was fueled by his friendship with Chris Benchetler. The collaboration between Benchetler and Treat exemplifies the power of artistic vision and dedication to creating something truly extraordinary. The public premiere of "Mountain of the Moon" promises to be a groundbreaking event, showcasing the culmination of years of hard work and creative collaboration.