A.R.T. to Partner with Local Artists for 'SUBMERGED' Lobby Experience

The American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.) will partner with local artists on its upcoming lobby exhibit inspired by the work on stage. Curated by Gretjen Helene and co-designed by Johnathan Carr, the Lobby Experience for The Last Two People On Earth: An Apocalyptic Vaudeville features an interactive installation created by new media artists Cindy Sherman Bishop and Martha Bourne that imagines the future of Boston as sea levels rise. The work will be on display during the run of the production in the A.R.T.'s West Lobby from May 12 - May 31.

PastPort Interactive functions as a virtual time-traveling device, leveraging digital media and livestreaming video to set viewers in places both past, present and future. Originally exhibited at AMP Gallery in Provincetown and MassArt, PastPort Interactive featured curated historical images. Inspired by the themes of The Last Two People On Earth: An Apocalyptic Vaudeville and the work of artist and researcher Nickolay Lamm, curator Gretjen Helene and filmmaker Johnathan Carr approached Bourne and Bishop to adapt their piece to explore iconic locations in Boston that would be affected by rising sea levels as predicted for the coming centuries.

Functioning as a futuristic photo booth, PastPort uses an Xbox Kinect 3D camera to place participants' likenesses into a digitally manipulated image of submerged popular locales. Once the image is set, the viewer can publish the image on Flickr where it can be viewed alongside pictures taken in previous installations. More information about PastPort Interactive can be found at http://www.pastportinteractive.com

The exhibit will be open on May 17 from 4 PM - 6 PM for the general public. On all other dates, a ticket to The Last Two People on Earth: An Apocalyptic Vaudeville is required for entrance. For more information, visit AmericanRepertoryTheater.org

Cindy Sherman Bishop is a visual artist, filmmaker, and interactive developer. Her work ranges from creating new tools for artistic expression to immersive, interactive environments with full-body interaction. She is an eager time-traveler and seeks to bring the past into the present in a tangible, immersive way. www.cindyshermanbishop.com

Martha Bourne is a singer/songwriter and Berklee-trained film composer whose work has been on television and in independent film for over a decade. She is also a sound recordist for film, video and radio and loves all things audio. She is currently expanding her horizons by designing interactive sound and music. www.marthabournemusic.com

Johnathan Carr is a filmmaker, media designer, and native of Greater Boston. In addition to his work with the A.R.T., Johnathan works with numerous performing arts organizations and other institutions throughout the area. He also organizes the Boston chapter of StoryCode, a movement to connect creators of immersive and interactive storytelling. www.storycode.org

Gretjen Helene is a fine art photographer and artist who collaborates with new media artists and mixed media sculpture work. A regular photographer for the A.R.T., this is Gretjen's first curatorial collaboration at the theater, harnessing the work of several artists and crafting complimentary mixed media works to form an informative and interactive experience based on the A.R.T.'s current production. www.GretjenHelene.com

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