GALLERY OF ECHOES to Return to Shadowbox Live This November
By: BWW News Desk Oct. 26, 2016
"We're incredibly grateful for the overwhelming audience response to these productions," says Stev Guyer, Executive Producer and CEO of Shadowbox Live, "not just for us, but for the visual artists that are involved. It's been so gratifying to see their work uplifted during this process."
In 2014, Shadowbox Live premiered a production the likes of which had never been seen before. Gallery of Echoes: The CMA Project was a brand new type of collaboration, one that seamlessly blended visual and performance art.
"It was a crazy idea!" says Guyer. "But we really wanted to find a way to work with the Columbus Museum of Art, and Gallery of Echoes was so much more than we could have ever guessed."
Gallery of Echoes: The CMA Project took multiple pieces of artwork from the museum's Permanent Collection and paired them with original music, written by Light, Shadowbox Live's elite band for special projects. A huge screen projected immersive video, showing details and animations of the artwork that seemed almost unreal. Vocals, choreography, and spoken word by the Shadowbox Live metaperformers were sprinkled throughout the production, enriching the experience.
Audiences were stunned. And they wanted more.
"What we realized was this didn't have to be a one-time production," says Guyer. "We didn't just create a show, we created an entirely new performance genre."
And earlier this year, Shadowbox Live unveiled the second iteration, Gallery of Echoes: ColumbUS Public Art Project. Unlike the first production, which featured museum pieces, this time the twenty highlighted artists were all local, and all alive.
"That may sound like a silly point," laughs Guyer, "but when you know the artist will actually be attending the performances and seeing first hand how you've interpreted their work, it's completely nerve wracking! It adds a whole new layer to the process."
Guyer and the other members of Light interviewed the artists before writing each piece of music for their take on their own artwork. Portions of these taped interviews were later integrated into the show, allowing audience members to hear information about the art directly from the creators themselves.
And for those who wish to take a piece of the performance home with them, the featured artists from Gallery of Echoes: ColumbUS Public Art Project will be available at select times throughout the run in the Backstage Bistro selling some of their work.
"It's just an amazing opportunity for the audience," says Guyer. "We show people a new way to enjoy visual art, and then they can step right outside the theater and purchase a piece by the one of the artists they saw on screen."
And, of course, it is also a wonderful opportunity for the artists.
"These are local artists," says Guyer, "not famous, not established, just amazingly talented local artists trying to make a living with their talents. We want to help lift them up, help them get a little more into the spotlight, and in turn, show the world what an amazing art scene we have in this city."
"All art is connected," concludes Guyer, "and I think that's the real theme of Gallery of Echoes."
Gallery of Echoes: ColumbUS Public Art Project will run Thursday Nov 3rd at 7:30 PM, Friday Nov 4th at 7:30 & 10:30 PM, Saturday Nov 5th at 2:00 & 7:30 PM, and on Sunday Nov 6th at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $20 - $40. For more information or to make reservations, call the Box Office at 614-416-7625 or visit www.shadowboxlive.org.
Gallery of Echoes: ColumbUS Public Art Project is presented by Greater Columbus Arts Council, PNC Arts Alive!, and MillsJames, and sponsored by Baker & Hostetler, with media partner CityScene Magazine.
Shadowbox Live, a non-profit 501C3 performance ensemble, is the largest resident theater company in America, producing over 500 shows per year.
For over 20 years Shadowbox Live has produced world-class performances, spanning the artistic spectrum with sketch comedy, rock 'n 'roll, original rock operas, traditional musicals, drama, dance theater and new media; always putting emphasis on the unparalleled live experience.
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