Canal Convergence Returns to Scottsdale Waterfront
Scottsdale Public Art returns to the Scottsdale Waterfront for its fifth year presenting the interactive art event Canal Convergence Water + Art + Light. With the support of presenting sponsors Salt River Project, the City of Scottsdale and Billie Jo and Judd Herberger, Scottsdale Public Art brings together international and local artists to create a one-of-a-kind, immersive art event. With an expected attendance of more than 50,000, Canal Convergence 2017 will take place Feb. 23–26 between Soleri Bridge and Goldwater Boulevard, with new evening hours from 4 to 10 p.m.
“I am very proud of Canal Convergence’s growth and international recognition with the featured artists this year,” says Scottsdale Public Art Director Donna Isaac, “We continue to bring engaging art installations from light festivals around the world to Scottsdale for our community and visitors to enjoy.”
During Canal Convergence 2017, visitors will experience four days of eight large-scale, contemporary public art installations positioned in the Arizona Canal, along its banks and soaring into the skies above. Throughout the evenings, Scottsdale Public Art will present a range of educational activities and engaging events, as well as live music and performances. Visitors can look forward to artist-guided mural painting, installation-themed workshops, all-level dance workshops, an outdoor dance performance at dusk and, new for 2017, a series of artist talks. Live music from local bands will be featured each night at Soleri Plaza, and Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings.
Scottsdale Public Art brings back NYC-based troupe Rioult Dance New York, which will give a new specially choreographed performance at the Soleri Bridge and Plaza. French Canadian dance collective The 7 Fingers will host a series of free, all-level dance workshops for two days at the Soleri Plaza.
Here is a sneak peek at featured artists and installations of Canal Convergence 2017:
Les Luminéoles by Porté par le vent (Lyon, France
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PHOTO BY PORTÉ PAR LE VENT
Founded by kite and paragliding enthusiast Christophe Martine, artist association Porté par le vent brings two installations to Scottsdale from their native France: Les Luminéoles and Lentille d’eau. Les Luminéoles is a procession of five colorful “helium light kites” that will soar into the sky each evening to perform an enchanting aerial ballet. The kites take the forms of carps and dragonflies, and each creature is piloted by a single person residing in large, blooming flower on the ground that lights up with each flight. Lentille d’eau is a light installation composed of 50 luminous spheres which will be placed in the canal from Marshall Way Bridge to Goldwater Boulevard, and will radiate different color sequences each night.
IMPULSE by designers at Lateral Office, CS Design, EGP and Group Mitchell Akiyama (Montréal)
PHOTO BY ULYSSE LEMERISE
During Canal Convergence 2017, parts of the Scottsdale Waterfront will be transformed into a light-up playground with IMPLUSE, an installation of 15 illuminated seesaws. When IMPULSE is activated by the motion of the seesaw-rider, each seesaw will produce a unique sequence of light and sound. When the seesaws are not in use, they return to a horizontal position with a subtle glow, waiting for the next set of visitors to climb on. IMPULSE is the collaborative creation of designers at Lateral Office, CS Design, EGP and Group Mitchell Akiyama. It is owned by Quartier des Spectacles Partnership and administered by the artist management group CREOS.
Blumen Lumen by Foldhaus Artist Collective (San Francisco)
PHOTO BY FOLDHAUS ARTIST COLLECTIVE
Blumen Lumen by Foldhaus Artist Collective is a group of seven larger-than-life origami flowers that bloom and glow with multiple colors as people move around them. When they are not activated by movement, the flowers close and bloom intermittently. Blumen Lumen premiered at Burning Man 2013 and has since traveled to art festivals throughout the United States creating a sense of communal wonder for all those who encounter them. During Canal Convergence, Foldhaus Artist Collective will offer a workshop where participants will learn how to make their own small scale, take-home folded geometric flower.
HYBYCOZO by HYBYCOZO (Burning Man, Nev.)
PHOTO BY LUKASZ SZCZEPANSKI
HYBYCOZO by HYBYCOZO is an installation of three, seven-foot tall polyhedron sculptures inspired by natural forms, ancient Islamic tiles, mathematics and geometry. Each sculpture will be lit with LEDs from the inside in order to cast colorful, intricate shadows highlighting “the inherent beauty of universal geometric form, symmetry and pattern.” Artist collective HYBYCOZO consists of environmental scientist Yelena Filipchuk and industrial designer Serge Beaulieu. During Canal Convergence, HYBYCOZO will conduct a Make Your Own Geometric Work of Light workshop where participants can make a small scale polyhedron light to take home.
Canal Creatures – Where Are They Now? by Isaac Caruso and Ashley Macias (Scottsdale, Ariz.)
PHOTO BY DAYVID LEMMON
Canal Creatures – Where Are They Now? by Arizona-based muralist and painters Isaac Caruso and Ashley Macias will be an interactive mural painting installation placed at the underpass of the Marshall Way Bridge. The mural will follow the story of the Canal Creatures mural project, which was created by the artists during the 2013 SRP Canal Dry-Up at the Scottsdale Waterfront. With this installation, Caruso and Macias answer the question of what these creatures would look like now if they continued to grow and thrive in the canal. Caruso and Macias will paint the murals live during the first two days of Canal Convergence, and on the second two days they will invite the public to participate in the painting of the mural. The resulting collaborative artwork will continue to be on display at the waterfront after Canal Convergence has ended.
Canal Convergence
Feb. 23–26, 4–10 p.m.
Scottsdale Waterfront, Scottsdale
For more information, visit canalconvergence.com or facebook.com/canalconvergence.
