Relative Intensity Noise took place on October 10-11, 2025 at Momentous, a festival organized by The Momentary, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR. This page preserves one record of what happened based on 2,542 observations deemed notable over the course of two days.
The event began with observations of a green light in the back of a building, a man in a blue shirt in a doorway, and a stage being set up. Throughout, views of building interiors revealed rooms with windows, walls, wires, and machinery. A new office building, later identified as the old Observer newspaper building, was noted two weeks from its move-in date, subsequently opened to the public, and eventually became a museum. Individuals, including men (in blue shirts, hats, green suits, black suits, white shirts, camo shirts, orange pants) and women (in various dresses and shirts), were frequently seen standing, walking, working on machines or projectors, dancing, playing video games, looking at screens, holding remotes, taking pictures, talking, cleaning rooms, and performing. Scenes often featured people on platforms, balconies, and metal railings. The lighting, initially dominated by green, evolved to include purple, pink, red, blue, yellow, and orange, often described as colorful or neon, and sometimes accompanied by smoke or fog, creating atmospheres such as a "smokey night" or a "foggy night." Specific observations included a man walking down a stage with a cat in his hand, a woman walking up a wall, a woman in a hospital bed, a bride and groom, and a "green alien in red." Stages were frequently lit and served as a focal point for performances, including a stage at the National Theatre. The green light in the background was a recurring detail, occasionally described as pink or red. Balconies, glass walls, and orange railings were prominent structural elements observed within the building.
The event began with observations of blue and red lights, often originating from windows or the back of a building, illuminating various rooms characterized by large walls, windows, clocks, and televisions. Individuals were initially seen holding baseball bats, cleaning floors, or working at computers. The setting then expanded to include groups of people sitting on floors in a large studio with a screen, with occasional references to building basements like a former jail or fire station. Subsequently, smoke and fog became a prominent atmospheric element, seen billowing from buildings and pervading both cityscapes and interior spaces. Stages and platforms became central features, frequently lit by red, blue, purple, and pink lights, often described as being in the background, reflected in the sky, or within bleachers. Numerous individuals, including men and women, were observed standing, sitting, performing, operating equipment, and using cell phones on these platforms, stages, or associated balconies. The narrative consistently highlighted these intensely lit architectural spaces, particularly theaters, bars, and basements, as scenes for diverse activities and ongoing visual spectacles.