L.I.V.E.: Technology Collides With Art

Jesse Andersen and Andrew Maus of the Plains Art Museum have been excitedly working on L.I.V.E. (Listening-Integrated Visual Experience) since April when they sent out their call for artists. The event was first introduced to the F-M area last year and was an overwhelming success.

This year, the Plains welcomes back the event and several visual artists from last year’s show including Henry Gwiazda, Paul Sobczak and Nate Booth (all offering new works).
L.I.V.E. also features several artists that are new to the scene including visual artist Brent Baniff and numerous talented musicians.

Of the musicians, Lava Proof Boots is from Fargo, but the rest are making special trips to the area to share their inspiration with our community. Beatrix* Jar, The Push and Kendall Station reside in Minneapolis and Turbodaze in Sioux Falls.
It is a real treat to have these talented musicians in the area and it speaks volumes about our community that we have a market for events like this one.

The event begins Thursday with a free lecture by Henry Gwiazda which focuses on how artists are using technology in their works and using it to produce digital galleries that can be accessed from anywhere via the internet. The lecture is the perfect preface to the events to follow.

Friday, there is a Circuit Bending class taught by Beatrix* Jar from 6-8 p.m. The class will teach attendees how to modify circuit boards of sound toys like a Speak & Spell or Casio keyboard to create new, unique musical instruments. The class is $22 for nonmembers and $20 for members and participants are encouraged to bring their own sound toy and batteries for hands-on experimentation.

Following the class, from 8 p.m.-midnight, the musicians and visual artists will be showing off their work. These artists all share a special bond; they are all inspired by music, technology and visual art. This event is a chance for them to show our community this inspiration. Hopefully they will inspire us as well.
The event is free, but a $3 donation is encouraged. All ages are welcome to attend the event and a cash bar will be open for 21 and older.

What sets L.I.V.E. apart from other shows is its use of technology. It is not incredibly odd to find a show featuring visual art and music together, but it is unique when the art consists of found objects and videos and the music has technology and sound effects running through it rather than live instruments.

Andersen and Maus feel that the show’s success last year and the community’s excitement to see it come back again, shows that there really is a market for this type of art in the Fargo area. The digital community is growing and it is affecting everything, art included. This show reflects that influence.
Andersen and Maus describe the event as original, fun and social. “It is about experimentation rather than refinement.”
The musicians play set lists and arrangements that are improvisational and unique to the venue.
The visual artists and musicians will all be offering new, thought-provoking pieces.
L.I.V.E. truly is an event you have to experience to appreciate. You won’t want to miss it!

For more information about the event, check out www.plainsart.org.