Minneapolis-based composer JG Everest will be in residence at Montalvo Arts Center’s Lucas Artists Residency Program (LAP) from March 27-April 25, 2023, composing and designing a new site-specific temporary sound + performance installation for the grounds at Montalvo, to be experienced along the paths and bridges that line the creek in the Redwood forest between the Villa and the LAP studios.
This installation, entitled While It Lasts: An Earth Day Sound Garden, will premiere with an Open Access event on Thursday, April 20 from 5-8:30pm and will continue over the weekend with live, open-house style events on Saturday and Sunday April 22 and 23 from 11am–3:30pm, all as part of a celebration of Earth Day.
The Sound Garden will be comprised of approximately 60-70 small, independent wireless speakers, housed in various handmade vessels — wooden birdhouses, felt sculptures, small urns — spread out across 2-3 acres along the creek and trails. Each speaker plays a different part of the whole piece of music, spatially composed for every corner of the space, unfolding uniquely for each listener in a self-guided experience — circulating throughout the space, lingering, leaving, and returning. With live accompaniment by roving musicians and visual art elements also incorporated into the experience.
Tickets ($10/free for students and Montalvo donors) are required for the opening event on Thursday; Saturday and Sunday are free, and visitors can drop in at any time throughout the day. Saturday's event also features a special Chalk the Walk opportunity at Charmaine's Garden Terrace on the west side of the Villa.
Sponsored by the Applied Materials Foundation.