Client: Glendale Arts and Culture Commission

Overview

This project transformed the landmark Alex Theatre for five consecutive nights with live projection artwork. Viewers and passer-bys experienced this meditative and contemplative ephemeral artwork evolve each evening of the project. Each night was a different act of an abstract narrative that drew on influences from historical and architectural artifacts both from inside and outside the theatre. While rooting it in the broader context of an uplifting experience during the COVID-19 pandemic. Live music was performed by Godtease, David Grieman, and the JP Orchestra.

Goals

In response to COVID-19 and its effects on the arts and culture community, the Library and the ACC are re-launching the Art Happens Anywhere (“AHA”) Program, with the purpose of encouraging the expansion of arts and culture activities to benefit the citizens of our community during these unique times. This CFA encourages artists to consider non-traditional artwork, experiences and performances that can engage the public in unexpected ways and places given the social distancing requirements.
Through innovative uses of digital and virtual technology, audience interactivity, and unconventional delivery methods, the AHA Program seeks to foster progressive attitudes toward art, art-making and performance, and to elevate the role of art in enhancing a community. The AHA Program is also an opportunity for artists to immediately begin working on a proposed project, resulting in the stimulation of the creative economy in Glendale and beyond during these challenging times.

Process

This project was realized through a collaborative process with the Glendale Arts and Culture Commission and Glendale Arts who operate the Alex Theatre. The first phase of the project was identifying a unique public location in the city for projection. Once I discovered the site at the Alex Theatre I sought to work with their staff to ensure usage and coordination. While the projections happened on the outside of the theater I arranged several tours of the inside of the historic theater to collect source material. I next coordinated with the City of Glendale for permitted use of an adjacent parking lot as projection area to target the building. I next planned out technical specifications and requirements for projectors and secured rental equipment through PRG. I then created custom animated artworks to manipulate and add to live. I programmed three evenings with live musical accompany.