Canal Convergence | Water + Art + Light Entertains and Inspires in 4-Day Experience

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Jan. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Canal Convergence is an annual event presented by Scottsdale Public Art with support from Salt River Project that enhances the local landscape's beauty and commemorates the city's arts and culture environment. Artists from around the world will showcase signature art installations for residents and visitors, providing an interactive experience for just about any guest: live music, collaborative art, hands-on activities and more.

The third annual Canal Convergence | Water + Light + Art will take place from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, February 26 and Friday, February 27, and continue from noon to 10 p.m. on Saturday, February 28 and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, March 1. With so much to offer visitors, Scottsdale Public Art's largest event to date will captivate all who participate in its inventive presentations.

Located on the Scottsdale Waterfront, extending from Soleri Bridge & Plaza at Scottsdale Road just south of Camelback to Goldwater Boulevard, the event will stage five large-scale art installments, two dance performances and an educational water conservation display.

"Canal Convergence is an event that provides a pleasant backdrop to the Scottsdale Waterfront while also commending Scottsdale's dedication to its arts community," Scottsdale Public Art Director Donna Isaac said. "We're so excited to have such an acclaimed group of artists and installations this year some of whom are coming off their national and international exhibition tours."

This year's array of artists includes Urban Matter Inc., Jen Lewin Studio, Toby Atticus Fraley, Saskia Jorda, Karrie Hovey, Erin V. Sotak and Heidi Duckler Dance Company.

"Play Array", a piece by Brooklyn artists Urban Matter Inc., will serve as a large-scale interactive game drawing inspiration from the classics "Pong" and "Frogger." Utilizing the canal channel between the Soleri and Marshall Way bridges as the surface for play, visitors will use a tablet to choose from two different games that compel them to connect in a friendly competition from opposite canal banks.

Boulder, Colorado-based artist Jen Lewin will bring her internationally acclaimed installation "The Pool" to the Scottsdale Waterfront for the 2015 Canal Convergence. On a tour that has included more than 12 states and six countries, "The Pool" wows audiences as an interactive canvas where any movement creates swirling neon bursts of light and color. Acting as a splash pad of light, individuals can jump around on LED discs to make art of their own.

Playing on the idea that there are just too many choices in life, Pittsburgh artist Toby Fraley created "The Artwork Forge" to help simplify just one choice-choosing art for one's home. Fraley created a machine that scans social media and news websites for trending styles while keeping in mind established works of art, and then in turn prints an original piece for individual members of the public. This project is being co-commissioned by Scottsdale Public Art in collaboration with Arizona State University's Emerge event taking place Friday, March 6 and Saturday, March 7 at Sky Song, where "The Artwork Forge" will appear again.

Local artist Saskia Jorda will play on the aspect of migration in her silhouette installations of flocks of birds. As one of the more expansive pieces, birds will be placed all along the pathways of the Scottsdale Waterfront, shown as flying, perching and foraging.  

California's Karrie Hovey will construct handcrafted plants and flowers inspired by the Arizona landscape for her art installment, which will float on the banks of the Arizona Canal. With her careful pinwheel construction, the flowers and plants will be able to interact with nature's breezes, causing the art to playfully spin in place. 

This year's event also features Erin V. Sotak, who has been working in residence with SRP since June 2014 to create an installation and interactive project called "My Your Our Water." In addition to her floating canal installation just west of the Marshall Way Bridge, Sotak plans to ride the multiple-use paths along the canal to discuss water and aesthetics while sharing her experiences on a blog through photographs, stories and videos.  

As the featured work of performance art, Los Angeles-based Heidi Duckler Dance Company will present two performances that engage pedestrians and passersby on Saturday night wearing LED-lit costumes and providing attendees with a different daylight performance on Sunday at 4 p.m.

"One of Scottsdale Public Art's missions is to support and encourage a strong, vital regional artist community," Isaac said. "Through Canal Convergence, we take that mission to heart, and bring to light artists who are making an impact across the globe."

All interactive pieces will be open to the public and free of charge. On February 27 from 7 to 9 p.m. the event will also host a special storytelling experience called "Water Logged," hosted by Scottsdale Public Art and the Phoenix New Times. Separate tickets for the storytelling event will be available at www.canalconvergence.com.

Some of the canal installations will remain on view until April 2015, but Scottsdale Public Art encourages families and guests to visit during the four-day exposition. During the event, the community can enjoy live music, hands-on activities and visit the Artisan Market, where Arizona-based artist vendors and businesses will exhibit, demonstrate, and sell their products and services.

For more information on Canal Convergence, visit canalconvergence.com.

SOURCE Scottsdale Public Art

Related Links

http://www.scottsdalepublicart.org