raijin | yolijn.net

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My name is Jolijn van Iersel, a Dutch light designer, operator & technician.

Since I always wanted to do something with music, but found out very early on that I am not the best musician, I thought of becoming a sound technician. So while going to school, I started to work as voluntary stagehand in the Noorderligt in Tilburg in 1998. When the Noorderligt became 013, they needed more light operators. So while learning how to design and operate lightshows, and completely lose any motivation to become a sound technician, I started to love the freedom and creativity you get in doing lightshows. It immediately became my passion.

After graduating in 2002, instead of becoming what I studied for, I decided to do what I love and become a fulltime light designer. So I started my own company; Raijin. This is the name of the Japanese god (former demon) of lightning (and thunder).

What I like most about this work is the creativity and being able to create an atmosphere that complements and adds something to the show of the performer(s).
I have been told that my light design/operating looks like making music with lights