Ali Luminescent (born 17 April 1981), also known as Ali Schmitz, is a model, actress, and multi-media performance artist who produces large scale art, participatory art events, and circus spectacle theatre. Through her creations Ali Luminescent is the embodiment of the neo-faerie culture that is sweeping the world.
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Performance
Ali Luminescent grew up in the theatre spending extended time in the costume and make-up department. She performs a variety of circus arts including stilt walking, hula hooping, aerial hoop and fire dancing and is well known for elaborate costuming and creature creation. Ali is a strong supporter of the faerie realm and all things magickal.
Her large scale photography has been featured in Boston at the Cyclorama : Boston Center for the Arts in 2007 and 2008 as well as in New York City at the Queens Museum of Art in 2008.
She has performed as a stilt dancing back-up dancer for T-Pain, worked with Tommy Hilfiger and Glamour Magazine and appeared at avant-garde art shows such as the Mark Ryden opening at the Paul Kasmin Gallery of "Old Thyme:The Gay 90's" wearing a large meat dress inspired from his "Incarnation" painting which hailed international acclaim from W Magazine editor, UK based Juxtapoz Magazine, and Bizarre (magazine).
Ali Luminescent has also been featured in the 2008, 2009, and 2010 Spring and Fall seasons of couture fashion line Papusza Couture—bringing her antics to the runway via roller skates, stilts, and trapeze.
Other notable performances include the Tim Burton Benefit Dinner at the MoMA as well as author Neil Gaiman and partner and performer Amanda Palmer's New York City engagement party held in unison with Cynthia von Buhler's elaborate birthday bash where Ali Luminescent and performer and MUA Christine Geiger presented as cotton candy flavored Victorian Siamese stilt-walking twins in honor of the musical collaboration of Amanda Palmer and Jason Webley "Evelyn, Evelyn" and the release of the graphic novel "Evelyn Evelyn: A Terrible Tale in Two Tomes (Dark Horse)" illustrated by Von Buhler.
Ali Luminescent was recently cast as the Bronx Italian speakeasy host in "Speakeasy Dollhouse" by aforementioned Von Buhler. The acclaimed immersive theatre piece was included in the Discovery Channel's Oddities show as well as the documentary "Of Dolls and Murder" directed by Susan Marks and narrated by John Waters.
Event Production
In 2008 Ali Luminescent became the founder and head producer of the public street parade "Kaleidoscope", allowing over 500 costumed enthusiasts, including stilt walkers, hula hoopers, and pretend unicorns to enjoy public spaces around New York City, concluding with a 2 hour fire performance. This event ran for 3 years.
Luminescent took on the role as Performance Curator for Figment (arts event) in 2008 and 2009. Figment is a large, free, public participatory art event featuring over 400 artists and bringing over 13,000 visitors to Governors Island helping to transition the land into an island for the arts.
In February 2010 Ali Luminescent wrote, produced, and directed "The Wonderneath", a circus theatre adventure featuring Lady Circus members Jordann Baker, Claire de Luxe, Ellie Mio and herself along with Ateles Aerial at the House of Yes (Brooklyn). Music was performed by Tin Pan and complemented by lead role and guest vocalist Kai Altair. The show was sponsored by the Swarovski CRYSTALIZED line, allowing costumes and set pieces to be laden in crystal.
Film and TV appearances
Ali Luminescent is an alternative Pageant Queen who holds multiple titles.